With the nation’s Homeland Security Secretary now in Louisiana, as the state closely monitors Gustav, the White House says President Bush has been briefed on the preparations in the state, for a possible Gulf Coast landfall.

Associated Press

President Bush

The White House says the President spoke by phone today with Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and FEMA administrator David Paulison.  The White House press secretary said the President was briefed on the situation as early as Wednesday afternoon.

“He's involved, engaged, and getting briefings and working to make sure that the federal assistance is there, but that obviously state and local authorities have responsibilities, and by all accounts and purposes, they are following through on those,” said White House spokeswoman Dana Perino at a Thursday press briefing.

Perino said officials in Washington with FEMA, the Homeland Security Council, the Department of Homeland Security and National Hurricane Center are watching Gustav and making plans to send supplies and crews to the region if needed.  FEMA director David Paulison is in Louisiana today, and Secretary Chertoff will appear with Governor Bobby Jindal at an afternoon press briefing in Baton Rouge.

Perino said Chertoff spoke with Jindal Wednesday.  She added that Paulison talked with Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour about that state’s preparations.