Yeah, but those were remote third world areas with no innfrastructure and suffering real devastation after an actual cataclysmic natural disaster.
Here we’re talking about little Cat 1 storm and the biggest and most modern metropolitan area of the United States, with easy highway access to unaffected areas...and they need an aircraft carrier? It’s all part of the horse-and-pony show.
100% true. In this case, where are they going to evacuate the "refugees" to? A NYC hospital?
Doubtful, it may be somewhat of a publicity issue but think about the situation for a sec.
Several of the hardest hit areas are islands with limited access via roads. The subways aren't working so the Highways are choked. A carrier or Amphib ship with Helos would allow direct transfer of assets like fuel and water and such bypassing an already choked transportation system.
It makes logistical sense. The military is very good at moving large amounts of supplies very fast. Especially units with helicopters.