Yes, I know most people are woefully unprepared for any type of disaster (attack, blizzard, ice storm, hurricane, etc.). I don't understand that mentality...especially in a post 9/11 world. Of course, if your house is blown away...there is no amount of prep you can possibly do.
Pres. Bush has to be seen as being a strong leader right now, and caring for those who can't (or wouldn't) care for themselves. If not, the media will spin it big time...as you all know.
I was completely unprepared for it also. The day before it hit, saturday, I was at the Lollapalooza concert at Bayfront Park. Monday after the storm passed, I got my Jeep CJ-7, some chain and started pulling the pine trees out of the road so people could get in and out of our development. I then drove up to broward county with some friends and picked up groceries. On the way back, we heard one of the big catering companies, Signature Gardens, were giving away all the meat they had in their freezers. We went by, picked up enough for the whole neighborhood, and had a hell of a BBQ that night.