WASHINGTON – Americans are pouring in millions of dollars in donations for disaster relief in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, rescue organizations said yesterday.

The Red Cross said it had so far raised $21 million, a figure comparable to the response for tsunami victims following the devastation in Asia earlier this year. Nearly $15 million of that has come from individual donations through its Web site, with the rest representing corporate contributions.

“The outpouring of support has been amazing,” said Kara Bunte, a spokeswoman for the Red Cross, which has set up hundreds of shelters for hurricane victims.

“People are now starting to see the images on TV and want to help,” she said.

Catholic Charities USA, based in Alexandria, Va., said it has received hundreds of calls in the last few days from volunteers asking how they can help. The group has raised $15,000 through its Web site, but will be stepping up collection efforts at churches in the coming days.

“The response is right up there with the calls we had after 9-11,” said spokeswoman Shelley Borysiewicz. “The American public is quite generous and they will rise to the occasion.”

SOME WAYS TO HELP

* American Red Cross
tel: 800-HELP-NOW
www.redcross.org

* America’s Second Harvest
tel: 800-771-2303
www.secondharvest.org

* Catholic Charities USA
tel: 800-919-9338
www.catholiccharitiesusa.org

* United Jewish Communities
tel: 212-284-6500
www.ujc.org

* Christian Relief Fund
tel: 800-858-4038
www.christianrelieffund.org

* American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
tel: 212-876-7700
www.aspca.org

* World Emergency Relief
tel: 888-484-4543
www.worldemergency.org