Most of those people work in the oil industry. It is in the government's best industry to at least let the people rebuild in certain areas. The plant my brother works in processes heating fuel, all but 4 employees lost their homes, but they aren't bitching about things, they are working their butts off to get the plants up and running before winter. They also work in refineries so you can have your gas cheaper etc.
The truth is that the nation's need for oil and gas caused a lot of the problems because of all the shipping channels cut through the swamps that allowed the salt water intrusion and coastal erosion to speed up. The loss of the swamps is why the storm surge was so bad. In that sense, it is a national security job because the good lord knows that Florida won't allow any offshore drilling. It might mess up their beaches, which the people are allowed to rebuild on time and time again.
I can find some places to build refineries, that will not be effected by storms. I'd bet that they can, as well.
As for working their butts off, I'd also wager a bet. I'll bet they are getting paid for it. I'll even bet they get overtime, and benefits.
The nations need for oil did not create these problems. Swamps are wet, whether or not you have storms. You should not build there.
I feel sorry for most personal loss. I feel little sorrow when that loss is by choice. If you live next to a freeway, you expect to hear traffic noise. If you live in a swamp, you can expect floods, when the water rises...
I think you should be able to build wherever you wish. I think you should be responsible for it, yourself. But, maybe I am just a lowly taxpayer, who has to pay the bills, and looking at it from a different perspective.