As Hurricane Gustav was making landfall, President Bush was making his way to Austin to get a first hand look at how the state was preparing for the storm.

President Bush last addressed workers and state officials here in September of 2005 shortly after Hurricane Rita had made landfall in Texas and Katrina had struck Louisiana & Mississippi.

On Monday the President wanted to see first hand that the lines of communication between local, state and federal agencies had improved since then.

Upon his arrival at the EOC in North Austin, President Bush greeted workers and even took time out for a few pictures.

"Here -- Here," President Bush said as he handed Gov. Rick Perry a camera.

While Gov. Perry took the pictures, soon he was painting a verbal picture for the president of how Texas was prepping for Gustav and handling evacuees from Louisiana.

"We anticipate somewhere between 45,000-50,000 general population evacuees from Louisiana," Gov. Perry told President Bush.

Having seen the tragedies that played out just three years ago, this week President Bush empathized with those who've been forced to flee again because yet another hurricane.

"It's hard for a citizen to pull up stakes and move out of their home and face the uncertainty that comes when you're not at home," Bush said.

He also complimented Perry and the governors from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama for their handling of the situation.

"There was clearly a spirit of sharing assets of listening to somebody's problem and saying how can we best address them," Bush said.

Shortly after noon the president took off in Air Force One for San Antonio where many evacuees from New Orleans with medical needs have temporarily relocated. Back in Austin, local leaders say while flooding in Northeast Texas is still a very real possibility, it looks like Texas dodged a bullet.

"When you look at the models which we just did with the president and you look at what a Category 4 hurricane can do if it hits head on the state of Texas, it an put the city of Houston or Beaumont underwater," said District 10 United States Representative Michael McCaul.

After San Antonio the president was scheduled to visit some of the areas affected by Gustav before returning to the white house.