Bush heads for storm effort; skipping RNC

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush said Sunday he would skip the Republican National Convention and head to Texas to be with hurricane evacuees and emergency personnel.

Bush met with officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Washington Sunday for a briefing on Hurricane Gustav, which was gaining strength in the Gulf of Mexico on its way to the United States.

"The message to the people of the Gulf Coast is, this storm is dangerous," Bush said after his meeting with FEMA officials. "There's a real possibility of flooding, storm surge and high winds. Therefore, it is very important for you to follow the instructions and direction of state and local officials. Do not put yourself in harm's way, or make rescue workers take unnecessary risks."

The storm comes three years after the Bush administration was criticized widely for the federal government's slow response to Hurricane Katrina, which ravaged New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

Bush canceled his Monday night speech at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.

"In light of these events, I will not be going to Minnesota for the Republican National Convention. I'm going to travel down to Texas tomorrow to visit with the Emergency Operations Center in Austin."