United Way is pleased with the success of 2-1-1 in response to Hurricane Katrina.
The call center was implemented statewide in July 2004 as means to get information for service agencies.
Officials say Hurricane Katrina was the first big test of the effectiveness of the system.
Emergency management asked residents to call 2-1-1 for the most current information on how to help evacuees.
"It has really been phenomenal. We had signs posted at the Louisiana and Texas border so the first thing people saw when they came in was to dial 211 for emergency assistance for evacuees," said Kay Parker with 2-1-1.
2-1-1 responded to over 5,000 call locally.
