WASHINGTON, Aug. 31 (Xinhuanet) -- US President George W. Bush observed hurricane-ravaged areas in US Gulf Coast aboard Air Force One Wednesday on his way back to the White House.

    According to US media reports, Bush flew low over the hurricane-ravaged areas to see what actually happened there.

    Air Force One flew over New Orleans, Louisiana, at about 2,500 feet, and descended even further to about 1,700 feet, over Mississippi.

    When surveying the damage from the left front of the plane, Bushdescribed the ground situation as "devastating."

    Bush's aides said the administration saw the hurricane as of "national significance," and will request a supplemental appropriation to pay for disaster relief and recovery efforts.

    Before the flight, Bush held a video conference with top aides to discuss federal relief efforts.

    The president has cut short his vacation in Texas by two days tocoordinate rescue efforts in the aftermath of the hurricane disaster.

    After returning to Washington, Bush will meet a White House taskforce, which is set up to coordinate the federal efforts to assist hurricane victims among various agencies. The president is expected to set his foot in the ravaged region this weekend, but details of the trip are still undecided. Enditem