That's pretty much the case anywhere. Had there never been retention basins, dams, diversions etc. constructed, the water would flow naturally. But the bottom line is.. the people of NorCal should still receive assistance. And as one FReeper said earlier, caveat that aid with the proviso that federal oversight and investigations on the decrepit condition of the spillways will follow.
This is a California made disaster...it could have simply been controlled by the State. These people affected by the States inaction should sue the pants off of them if/should they survive this event! This is total mismanagement/incompetence.
California has plenty of money to address this situation but choose to poor mouth. Screw California and their problems.