Bush declares emergency in Texas, La.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- President George W. Bush declared a state of emergency Friday in Louisiana and Texas as Hurricane Gustav moved toward the Gulf Coast.

The declaration allows the governors of the two states to seek federal assistance with preparations and relief, The Washington Post reported.

Friday was the third anniversary of the day Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. Bush's response to the 2005 disaster was widely criticized as belated and inadequate.

Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center in Miami say Gustav could hit the Gulf Coast as a Category 3 hurricane Tuesday. Its current predicted track would bring the center ashore in Louisiana, although forecasters say it could hit anywhere between Texas and the Florida panhandle.

Bush spokeswoman Dana Perino said the president still plans to speak Monday at the Republican Convention in Minnesota.

"It's a very serious storm and so we are taking it seriously," Perino said. "And things could change in a moment's notice. Right now the storm is scheduled to land Tuesday afternoon, but we've seen that change over the hour."