There's no doubt that if it weren't for relief taken by local grass roots organizations, particularly church groups in the areas to the north and east of Mississippi and Alabama, folks would be hurting much more than they are. Seems to me that the federal and state governmental agencies established to help collapsed under a combination of shock, indecision, and bureaucratic red tape. Lesson I've learned is DON"T depend on the government for assistance in a disaster because it may not be there in a timely manner. I'll be augmenting my hurricane/disaster preparedness supplies to include MREs and a few other items I couldn't have dreamed I'd be purchasing a week ago.