Having been through 3 storms now, and loosing my office, making wrong choices and loosing over 100K of my own money and now having a business that is barely open anymore due to the economic fallout from the storms, I can say if your waiting for government help your screwed.
That simple, if you need the US of A to help you out your done. I figured this out 24 hours after the 1st storm hit, I was on my own. Insurance companies, local government and the Federal Government were not going to help me.
when Katrina hit Miami en route to NO, did you see the news footage of all the people in line for ice and water THE VERY NEXT DAY? We knew for days the storm was coming, plenty of time to freeze up water bottles and ice trays and make as much ice as possible, as well as stockpile on necessities. Guess who was in line? The people too stupid to get ready for a storm. Do not tell me they could not afford to get ready, it does not take money to make ice and store water.
Same deal with the people crying they got screwed in NO, they got Debit Cards, temporary housing and a chance to get back on their feet, except they did not want to get on their feet, they wanted to stay on the government teat. That teat dried up and now they are crying foul.
They got a LOT more that I got from both my insurance and FEMA (I never even bothered to try FEMA to be honest) I know I could make it through on my own. I guess I am lucky because 7 years earier I started a business with a Visa card and no idea how I was going to pay my bills, 10 years later I was able to take a 100K+ hit and still survive. But, I am a fighter and I would never give up, even now as the economy here is in the toilet I am fighting to keep going and I know I will do fine. I am the master of my domain. I do not need anyone to help me, especially Government.
Its called personal pride some have it and do fine others do not and need help for their entire lives.