Gray volunteers in Texas

Macy Gray has travelled from her Los Angeles home to provide hands-on help to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

While residents of America's Gulf states set up temporary homes in other parts of the country, a large number of Louisiana's affected population has set up camp in Houston, Texas' Astrodome, where Gray decided to pay a visit on Saturday.

Gray, who helped hand out clothes and toiletries at the sporting venue, said: "I just really wanted to help out. I think the most important thing to them is their futures. They are here, and they have gotten out of that disaster but it is, like, now what? Because they can't live like that forever.

"It is crazy when you don't know what is going to happen to you the next day and suddenly that is what their lives are like."

I Try singer Gray is delighted she was able to lift the spirits of those she met with, and many were excited to see her.

She noted: "It is very humbling, but I loved every second of it. It was really gratifying and I had a great time."

About 18,500 survivors are housed in the Astrodome and an adjacent meeting hall. More than 120,000 refugees are in 97 shelters in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and dozens of smaller cities across Texas, with another 100,000 staying in hotels and motels.

A number of other uncounted individuals are in churches or private homes.