We have FEMA (the Katrina people). Unfortunately they are broke. In this climate getting more appropriations may be tough.
The states will usually get federal assistance but they always end up eating a lot of the expenses of a disaster.
The scary thing is that a lot of this damage will ultimately be back on the home owner. Flood insurance is a separate insurance policy and from what I understand most of the people in the north east did not buy any. They did not think there would ever be a flood in places like Vermont. I am guessing the utilities will be self insured.
