Yes it is, it's more comparable to the Tsunamis in Asia, albeit on a smaller scale, but to the people in the path, they face the exact same reality.
I watched a lot of that coverage and in the immediate aftermath, I recall the natives helping with the rescue and clean-up..... they weren't looting the hotels. It's just disgraceful. The looters and thugs are probably the main reason help couldn't get in to NO sooner.