One poster suggested that gas stations in hurricane areas should be required to have emergency generators. Actually, this is not a bad suggestion.
Along with that, instead of waiting for FEMA to make their clumsy behind schedule deliveries, why not pre-position the relief supplies in each community to begin with. Surely there is a shelter or hardened warehouse in most communities that can handle such things. To make ice, all you need a generator, an ice-making machine, and a large supply of freshwater
It is just plain stupid to have two mile lines in every community, after every hurricane hit, to pick up water, ice, and get some gas for the car. These are all commodities that can be made easily available, and except for the gas, do not have to be trucked in after-the-event.
Also, the codes should specifiy that the electrical distribution be underground whenever possible. This won't eliminate all damage, but it will keep the repair crews concentrated on the transmission, feeders, and substations.
I'm sure that there are many more ideas... Someones got to get organized and implement these before the next hurricane hits.
Beachcomber