If the same storm had hit any coastal city in Mexico, South america, Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Indonesia or even in the Gulf States there  would have been hundreds or thousands killed and missing, with imminent starvation and outbreaks of cholera, typhus, diphtheria dysentery and malaria.  Despite your condescending attitude towards them, America has had none of it.  Why? Because America actually is prepared for such emergencies because each person is expected to take responsibility for their own survival.  Hence they have food, clothing, medicines, and transportation to spare.