You are right about that. Fema was ready and waiting but had to wait til the storm passed and the State got it's act together. If the State is not with it then the process is slow. Remember how Bush 41 got blamed for the poor response on Andrew. That was because Lawton Chiles did not ask for assistance which is required for the feds to act. It is like have a written order to do the job so that people get paid.
We lost our well during the 7 quake here a few years back. With an entire goatherd, huge chicken flock, and 4 kids, it was a small disaster for us to not have water.
Fema was at our front door 4 or 5 days later with an offer of a check and wonderfully knowledgeable advice, a free home damage inspection included.