Maybe in your world people don't take the time to prepare for the unexpected, but most of us do. If I'm going to take a trip someplace I've never been before, I'll sure as hell ask around amongst my friends and family for someone who has SOME idea of what I'm getting into so I can prepare myself.
Florida offered to help their neighbors prepare for something they (Florida) could be considered as "subject matter experts" on. Their neighbors refused, like the fools they are seen as now. Sadly, others are suffering, and paying, for the foolishness of the leaders of these states.
Just think, if they had accepted the help offered, most of the work having to be performed now (like recovering the dead) would be unnecessary, and they would not have to "just shut up and get to work."
Notice those corrupt "leaders" in NO have no problem implementing the land and gun grab plan. Nagin, Blanco and their pals should be in leg irons and an orange jump suit right now, entering a plea.
Nonsense.
Nothing could have prevented this short of divine intervention.
For over five years now as weather forecasting has taken on dimensions of crisis-proportions people have been burning out and tuning out; they simply can't comprehend the potential of disaster and refuse to spend sleepless nights concerning themselves with what has never happened to them before.
And, anyway, they have more important things to do - like walking the dog and getting laid.