Power crews from North Carolina are headed to the Gulf coast to help restore power. About 500 workers with Progress Energy were scheduled to leave Tuesday for Louisiana and Mississippi.
A second wave of reinforcements could relieve them in about two weeks.
Duke Energy has about 100 people in South Florida, helping clean up from Katrina's first landfall. The company also sent 10 trucks to Jackson, Miss. to help restore power.
FEMA, however, says volunteers should stay at home unless directed by an agency to go to the hurricane-damaged areas.
Instead, concerned citizens are being asked to donate money, which is easier to distribute than supplies.
The Food Bank on Tar Heel Drive in Raleigh is also accepting food and supplies. Items will be sent to storm victims without disrupting regular deliveries in central and eastern North Carolina.
In the western part of the state, four National Guard armories opened their doors to evacuees Monday morning. Each can shelter up to 100 people, but so far, few people have taken advantage of them.
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