States also need to break away from FEMA and establish or re-establish the system utilities have used for over 8 decades of mutual aid agreements. That is what utilities still do. They have this in place to survive overwhelming disasters. I saw utility trucks coming south on I/75 from up north before Helena even made landfall. My Dad would talk about his early years working as a lineman for Ma Bell and trips {convoys} to Nashville from Knoxville due to ice storms etc. No interstates back then it was late 1940's early 50's.
A lot of work is happening in hit states more than the media wants to show. It would be nice if the deployed to ME 700 2/278th ACR Tennessee National Guards were sent back home. Congress needs to fully fund enough active duty members aka End Troops Strengths so NG's were put back to handling state emergencies under their governors.
The roads are closed evidently by DOT because the DOT and a contractor are rebuilding the highway to reconnect the communities. The more people driving in and getting stuck that they have to pull out, the longer it takes to get the road rebuilt.