The letter Blanco sent on Aug. 28 was her SECOND. It mostly requested a better financial arrangement between state and federal governments. FEMA had already received, acknowledged, gotten Bush's permission, and posted a news article on its site by August 27.
On FEMA's own site - Release Number: HQ-05-169 - August 27, 2005 http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=18447
"Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, today announced that Federal resources are being allocated to support emergency protective response efforts response efforts (sic) in the parishes located in the path of Hurricane Katrina.
Brown said President Bush authorized the aid under an emergency disaster declaration issued following a review of FEMA's analysis of the state's request for federal assistance. FEMA will mobilize equipment and resources necessary to protect public health and safety by assisting law enforcement with evacuations, establishing shelters, supporting emergency medical needs, meeting immediate lifesaving and life-sustaining human needs and protecting property, in addition to other emergency protective measures."