I'd be slow to label people "looters" if they're taking things from totally flooded buildings. Some may well just be trying to get immediate survival supplies, from empty flooded buildings where no one else urgently needs the items, which are likely to have floated away before the rightful owners return. This isn't the sort of situation where people would be looting computers and stereos from stores, since few of those items would still be in useable condition after being soaked. Flooded grocery stores certainly won't be selling any of the items that have been floating around, so if someone wants to grab some bottles of safe drinking water, jars of peanut butter, etc., they wouldn't be hurting anyone.
Looting is not advisable behavior under any circumstances. Especially when the owner is armed. If I was the Chief of New Orleans PD, I would recommend martial law.
Looting is looting. The government and insurance companies will take care of those who file claims and fill out applications for assistance. It is NEVER permissable to help yourself to other people's property.
On the other hand, if they're taking off with TVs, computers, or other luxuries, it's pretty clear what they're doing.
In a looter situation, the FIRST thing to go are high ticket luxury items such as jewelry and electronics. Then clothing and finally food. The wild card is any firearm (i.e. sporting goods stores) or ammunition. They trump anything.
It is for this reason that the NG usually patrols "locked and loaded" in looter suppression. I can't wait for the Posse Commitatus screams from the libs. Reality is, that the NG is functioning as a "state entity" and is exempt from posse commitatus.
I guess it is evil for me to look forward to the thinning of gene pool by the surgical removal of looters.
Semper Giggle