48. Bush declares disaster
by DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press
President Bush on Saturday declared a major disaster in Texas after Hurricane Ike flooded homes, knocked out power and caused a spike in gasoline prices.
"This is a huge storm that is causing a lot of damage not only in Texas, but also in parts of Louisiana," Bush said from the South Lawn of the White House after he had a video conference with Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and David Paulison, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Later, at a news conference in Washington, Paulison issued warnings to people in the path of the weakening storm.
"It's still a very dangerous time," he said. "It still carries a lot of wind, a lot of rain, the possibility of tornadoes and lightning. ... Just stay home. Just be patient, stay in your house and don't go out too early until it's safe to do so."
Ike ravaged southeast Texas and western Louisiana early Saturday. Thousands of homes and government buildings were flooded, roads were washed out, an estimated 2.6 million people lost power and several fires burned unabated. By afternoon, first responders in helicopters, airboats and vehicles were at work to save lives.
On Wednesday, before the storm hit, the president issued an emergency declaration for parts of Texas and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts.
The president's disaster declaration Saturday meant federal aid would supplement state and local recovery efforts in 29 counties. Assistance includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover property that was not insured and other programs to help citizens and business owners recover.
"As this massive storm moves through the Gulf Coast, people in that area can rest assured that the American people will be praying for them and will be ready to help once this storm moves on," Bush said.
Though tens of thousands of people fled coastal communities, an estimated 100,000 ignored mandatory evacuation orders and stayed behind.
The eye of the hurricane missed the center of Houston, as well as the largest concentrations of oil and gas refineries. Still, retail gasoline prices jumped Saturday based on Ike's landfall in the region, which accounts for about one-fifth of the nation's petroleum refining capacity. Refineries, even if they were not damaged, may remain shuttered for days, some because of power outages.
Gas prices nationwide rose nearly 6 cents a gallon to $3.733, according to auto club AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and Wright Express. Ike disrupted supply at the wholesale level in the Gulf Coast, where prices struck $4.85 a gallon Friday.
"In the meantime, the Department of Energy and state authorities will be monitoring a gasoline crisis so consumers are not being gouged," Bush said.
Residents survey the damaged windows of the JP Morgan Chase Tower caused by Hurricane Ike in Houston.
Floodwaters cover the north end of downtown Houston.
