If you're lucky enough to live in one of the better prepared states then your state government will take care of coordinating efforts and rebuilding infrestructure.   The support that various city governments are capable of providing varies so greatly it's impossible to generalize but I've personally seen cities large and small take on disasters with relative ease.

Historically, the federal government might provide some coordination assistance, help victims apply for SBA loans (yes, the small business administration...  No one really knows why and everyone asks the same question.  It is what it is.  That's all I know) and recently added the mobile home program which is usually very tiny camper trailers.

At least that's how it's supposed to work.

Katrina changed that however thanks to the outrage of concerned Americans.  Thank you!  The problem from here forward looks like a return to the status quo.  There was some circus of investigations and hearings but they basically decided to change nothing except a few titles.

One other thing that wasn't touched on specifically although it was implied is that the break down in FEMA, The Red Cross and others was at a national level.  I and thousands of others that were there can attest that the individuals in the field; the local chapters and foot soilders for those organizations worked themselves silly everyday from moment one.

Many of my contacts weren't rotated out for 2 months or so.  To those that don't know, this is a loooong disaster assignment.  As you can imagine it's a high burn out job and that's how we assure quality assistance to all.  Many of them were offered rotation sooner but turned it down to see the operations stuctures come together.  Communications was so bad (remember interplotablity?) that there were Red Cross teams the state didn't even know about chugging along until they ran out of supplies and some how got tied in finally a month or a month and a half later.  Some were already out of supplies when we finally found them.  Those folks all over the country never cease to amaze me.

I encourage everyone to support their local Red Cross, AmeriCorps program, UMC relief team, buddist temple, American Baptist Men's group or anyone else that wields a chiansaw or hands out food and blankets in any way possible.  These are the only means of aid especially in the "smaller" disasters.  If you've ever had your house burn down for example, I'd love to hear your stories about the Red Cross people that took care of you.