How many times do people have to see the state go thru the "we're prepared ... oops, sorry, guess we weren't" cycle before they stop relying on the state for things as incredibly simple as a few gallons of water and ice? Why is it socially acceptable (as indicated by the basis for your reasoning) for people to assume the state will provide ANYTHING and EVERYTHING?
Days before it hit, there was plenty of news informing the public that a category 5 hurricane was headed straight for Florida - and these people didn't even bother to get a few gallons of water???
It was downgraded from a Category 5 to a Category 2 by then. Even when it was a Cat 5, they were saying it was likely to weaken.