Gov. Timothy M. Kaine called today for state agencies and other organizations to prepare for emergency aid to the Gulf Coast in preparation for landfall by Hurricane Gustav.

The governor triggered the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, under which states provide mutual aid to one another in emergencies.

He directed an inventory of resources that state agencies and other organizations could deploy to the Gulf of Mexico, where the storm is expected to reach Category 3 hurricane strength or stronger before making landfall between Florida and Texas.

"We are working with the Gulf States now to determine how we can help them and what resources we can send," Kaine said today. "Other states helped us respond to Hurricane Isabel [in 2003], and Virginia stands ready to assist those in the path of this storm."

"I encourage all Virginians to get involved in helping those who need it by making charitable donations to major disaster relief organizations," the governor added.