If anybody is wondering about the best way to help out during a situation like this, a donation to Red Cross is a sure bet. They are ALWAYS allowed to get into damaged, restricted areas. (Often the police shut down neighborhoods to discourage looky-loos and looters and you can't get in without an escort from someone who lives in the affected area.) The Red Cross regularly stopped by offering food, water & supplies for official and volunteer clean-up crews. You would never believe how much that is appreciated.
I will NEVER forget how to appreciate the red cross....
They've always been here for the community when the floods get all up in our flatlander shizz...flooding shiz, that iz.