Reality, Meet Fiction: Disaster Response

Reality: 

Three hurricanes: Katia (far left, toward Mexico), Irma (center),
and Jose (right).
Picture from NOAA.

The past month has been incredible with regard to natural disasters in the United States. Wildfires in the west are on track to be the third worst in the past decade, with more than 26,000 firefighters working to keep the fires at bay. The National Guard (part of the reserve armed forces that states call in for extra support, roughly equivalent to modern-day militia) has been called into action in four states to assist governmental efforts.

Meanwhile, the American South is facing a horrifying series of hurricanes. Harvey, the first major hurricane (Category 3-5) to hit the U.S. since 2005, made landfall on August 25th as the wettest hurricane to hit the United States in recorded history, devastating many Texas cities and overflowing levees. The President has requested 6 billion US dollars to be placed toward relief efforts.

At the writing of this post, the next major hurricane, Irma, is lurking off the coast of Florida. Prior to making landfall in the Caribbean, it was one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes recorded, with wind speeds at 185 miles per hour, placing it solidly in Category 5. It's still a threatening Category 4 hurricane. Approximately 1/4 of the Florida population has been evacuated at this time, possibly the largest evacuation attempt in U.S. history. Further emergency funding has been requested for FEMA, the federal emergency relief organization, which is already stretched thin by Harvey. The entire Florida National Guard has been called into active duty. 

Unfortunately, the danger doesn't seem to be over yet. Jose, a Category 4 hurricane, is following close in the wake of Irma, scheduled to strike many of the same Caribbean Islands so recently devastated by Irma. 

In addition to FEMA and other national agencies, many private organizations, such as the American Red Cross and various church bodies, have mobilized in response to the various disasters. Foreign aid has also been offered by other countries. 

Fiction:

How do people in your story world respond to disasters--natural or otherwise? Are there alliances they can rely upon to pull in aid from other non-affected countries? Is there a central government that provides relief? If so, how does that government determine where funds are used? 

Are local efforts coordinated, such as a fire brigade? Are local charities seen as more helpful than larger ones? Who organizes things at "ground level"? Is it civilians, civilian officials (such as the mayor), the clergy, the military, influential people, or something else? 

Do people organize trips to help those in need, or is there an attitude that each group should fend for themselves? 

How is money raised for relief efforts? Does it come from donations? Fundraisers? Taxes? How do organizations decide where the funds should go--alliances, favors, favored groups, etc.? 

How does the media cover disasters? Do they flee or provide on-the-ground reporting? If multiple disasters occur in quick succession, what determines which disasters receive the most attention? 

What disasters have occurred recently in your area or country? How has your community responded?