Pentagon Sending 500 Soldiers to Louisiana, Mortuary Teams to Texas

[NNN0LHI]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBFKTD40EE.html

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Pentagon on Saturday was sending about 500 active-duty soldiers to the areas of Louisiana hit by Hurricane Rita and said about 27,000 National Guardsmen were ready to respond in Texas and Louisiana. Five mortuary teams went to Texas.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency had four helicopters ready for search-and-rescue teams missions once the storm died down.

The Energy Department said it appeared the oil industry, especially the concentration of refineries in the Houston-Texas City area, may have escaped major damage.

"We're cautiously optimistic about that region," department spokesman Craig Stevens said.