Illinois sending more guardsmen to Gustav

SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois National Guard has activated two more helicopters crews to head to the Gulf Coast ahead of Hurricane Gustav.

State officials say the crews were to depart Decatur on Sunday for Louisiana. Gov. Rod Blagojevich's office says the crews were requested by Louisiana through a mutual aid agreement. Illinois already sent one helicopter crew on Saturday.

The Hurricane is expected to strike the Gulf Coast anywhere from Mississippi to Texas on Monday. In New Orleans city officials have started evacuation plans.

Blagojevich says the helicopter and crew are ready to perform search and rescue missions as well as sandbagging of levee breeches.

Illinois sent 2,500 responders to the Gulf Coast after Hurrican Katrina in 2005.