Thousands of Hurricane Katrina evacuees will not get debit cards worth $2,000 that are being distributed by FEMA.

An agency official says the cards will only be available to those that are temporarily staying at the Astrodome in Houston.

David Passey says others will have to wait while the emergency aid is distributed in the form of paper checks or direct deposits to their bank accounts.

Those not at the Astrodome will have to register for the assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA or by going on the agency's website at http: www.fema.org.

They will have to provide a location where the check can be delivered or a bank account number where the funds can be deposited.