FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Officials say Kentucky is preparing to house more than 4,000 Hurricane Gustav evacuees from New Orleans if necessary.

Officials with the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management say 3,000 evacuees would be housed in Louisville, 750 in Lexington and up to 250 each in Owensboro and Bowling Green.

Chris Poynter, spokesman for Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson, said Friday the evacuees would be flown to Louisville, which is prepared to house 3,000 people at the Kentucky Exposition Center for up to a week if necessary.

Poynter says the city is prepared for various needs of the potential evacuees, including special health needs, and is set up to provide services for pets. He says the local Red Cross is equipped with 8,000 cots, 17,000 blankets and 1,600 volunteers who are ready to help at a moment's notice.

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