Bush: Ike Is Huge Storm, Causing Great Damage

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush says Hurricane Ike is a huge storm that has caused a lot of damage in Texas and parts of Louisiana.

Bush said Saturday morning at the White House that he just had a video conference with Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and disaster relief agency chief David Paulison. He says Chertoff will go to Texas when weather permits to help coordinate state, local and federal recovery efforts.

The president noted that some people did not evacuate ahead of the storm even when authorities recommended it. He says rescue teams are prepared to get started once conditions are better.

Bush also says officials are keeping tabs on a gasoline crisis so consumers are not gouged at the pump.

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