President Holds Video Conference With Emergency Officials, Perry

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Bush held a secure video conference today with top federal emergency officials and Texas Governor Rick Perry to go over preparations for Hurricane Ike.

The White House video conference included the president, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, Federal Emergency Management Agency director David Paulison, Perry and their staffs.

White House press secretary Dana Perino says the president “asked about the path and strength of the storm, evacuation plans, concerns about critical infrastructure and shelter support.”

Perino also said Bush thanked those preparing Texas for the hurricane’s landfall, expected late tomorrow.

In her words, Bush said: “Governor Perry has a great team and our job is to support him.”

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)