President Bush arrived in eastern Texas on Tuesday to get a closer look at widespread devastation from Hurricane Rita, which virtually wiped out some coastal communities.
Bush spoke to reporters in Beaumont, Texas, appearing with Gov. Rick Perry.
"I appreciate the planning that the governor has put into this," Bush said. "The state of Texas took precaution before the storm hit, and is now responding, and our job is to work with the state."
Bush asked evacuated residents not to return to their homes until they hear official announcements that the local infrastructure is prepared.
"Obviously we want people to come home as quickly as possible, we want them to be able to do so in an orderly way," Bush said. "And when they get home, they find that there's the best possible power and water."
The president is expected to survey damaged refineries that are among seven oil facilities near the Texas-Louisiana state line where Rita roared ashore Saturday with 120 mph winds.
With about 1.7 million barrels of daily capacity, those seven plants refine about 10 percent of the nation's oil -- about twice the capacity as the four refineries still off line after Hurricane Katrina -- which hit on August 29. (Watch: How refinery damage will hit your wallet after Rita -- 2:04)
Bush has ordered federal agencies to conserve fuel to offset possible shortages caused by the hurricanes.
The president's seventh visit to the region since Katrina comes as Bush says he wants to make it easier for the military to take charge after disasters like hurricanes.
The White House acknowledged Monday the proposal raises "a lot of issues" that need resolution.