The number of families in Fayette County seeking refuge from the damage of Hurricane Katrina continues to swell, officials reported.

As of late Wednesday night, 289 such families totaling 500 people had registered with the Fayette County Department of Family and Children services, the lead agency providing assistance for Katrina victims.

DFCS still needs gift cards and gift certificates to distribute to families so they can buy food, clothing, medicine and gas. Gift cards can be dropped off at at the DFCS offices in Fayetteville off Ga. Highway 85 South, just south of the Towne Center (Kroger) shopping center.

Wednesday, DFCS was given $2,500 from the county to take care of immediate needs, said Deputy Chief Allen McCullough of the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services.

"We didn't want them to get into a situation where they're down to nothing with nothing to fall back on," McCullough said.

Public health officials and healthcare providers are also keeping an eye out for any potential infectious disease outbreaks since many victims came into contact with contaminated water, McCullough noted. Any hurricane victim who develops small lesions or any group of people with similar symptoms are urged to seek medical attention, he added.

Several large shelters are expected to be opened by the American Red Cross in the metro Atlanta area today, with services on-site for applying for state and federal disaster aid and other programs, McCullough said. Families who have located here but don't have a place to stay will be transitioned to one of those centers, he added.

Officials reported that 60 families were here that needed housing as of Wednesday night.

The Red Cross has opened more than 485 shelters in 18 states to house victims of the hurricane.