Our nation was set up for limited government. Our government, and it's taxation syestem, were set up for limited governing. There is a difference in nanny-governing and responsible government by and for people. It is why we have civilized government.
The general public was not unaware of the hurricane in the gulf. In fact, the information available to the general public was just as accurate and timely as the information the government had.
Why not let the people take in the information available and make their own decisions. Self responsibility is a conservative position.