As Hurricane Katrina roars through Louisiana and Mississippi today, local residents are looking for ways to assist.

Red Cross director Jane Blocher says her office had received at least two dozen phone calls through 9:30 this morning from people wanting to help.

Blocher says making a cash donation is the most effective way to assist.

She says the local Red Cross chapter has plans to send three volunteers to the New Orleans area later this week.

For more information on assisting, call the local Red Cross chapter at 843-3550.