[Sugar08]

Flood insurance is currently (and was pre-Katrina) required in certain zones in New Orleans. However, due to the federal government's (underestimated and incorrect) insurance maps of areas of potential flooding, people who lived outside of these zones didn't bother buying policies.

Landslides aren't covered by homeowner's insurance.

And you're right, rich people do have more options, and that's ok if they're spending money themselves. However, the gov't has spent millions on areas where the rich live. Why not do the same for the poor? I don't think these people simply expect the taxpayer to "foot the bill," because before all this went down, these people were (and some still are) taxpayers.

The only realistic thing the government can do is rebuild, either sooner or later. And it's looking like later.

BTW: Oklahoma received federal assistance in 2003 due to tornadoes.