With state and local leaders on alert for Gustav, Governor Bobby Jindal on Wednesday declared a state of emergency for Louisiana, and outlined plans the state is making to be prepared for a possible landfall in the state.

WWL-TV

Gov. Jindal called a state of emergency.

The governor said state officials are also asking the White House to issue an emergency declaration before the storm makes landfall.

At an afternoon news conference, Jindal said he has ordered 700 buses that can evacuate 35,000 people. Buses will be supplemented by an air and rail evacuation plan that will be coordinated with FEMA.

Jindal said he has also activated more than 3,000 Louisiana National Guardsmen and put the American Red Cross on alert. Jindal said the number of guardsmen needed could be expanded to 5,000.

He added that the state has 10,000 spots available to evacuate people with special needs, and has worked with the Red Cross to identify 68,000 additional spaces for evacuees in Louisiana shelters. He said the state has partnerships with other neighboring states to provide shelter space. Jindal said the state has more than 500,000 prepared meals, and 525,000 liters of water available. FEMA is also prepared to provide food and other supplies.

"Our state is better prepared than it has been before to respond to a major disaster," Jindal said, "but I want to emphasize to our people that they also have personal responsibility."

Jindal said the state emergency operations center has been activated and is monitoring the storm. He said he spoke with the director of the National Hurricane Center and Homeland Security secretary Michael Chertoff about the state's plans and the storm forecast.