I think we in the US are so used to the media hyping up storms, every storm is supposed to be the worst we'll see in our lifetimes.  Drama sells.  Then, when they turn out to be just another bad but not apocalyptic storm, everyone goes back to whatever they were doing before.

So I think that was the initial reaction when the tidal wave missed New Orleans.  Then, over the past 3 days, it has begun to sink in just how horrible it actually is.  

Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. -Voltaire