I remember speaking with a guy who moved here from New Orleans after Katrina/Rita. He said there was a HUGE group of 4x4 enthusiasts that showed up with chainsaws, winchs, etc. to help with cleanup but ended up being told to park in a VERY remote staging area due to the "already overwhelming amount of looting going on". He said in the area that they guys wanted to work, there honestly wasn't much of worth to loot (being under 6 feet of water for days), but instead the debris just needed to be cleared, but nevertheless, they were parked for days. A lot of folks gave up and went home feeling useless to help themselves and using up valuable resources just waiting around.
Not what you want to hear, I'm sure, but you may want to coordinate with FEMA (you know, they guys who screwed the pooch back then) so that you aren't wasting your efforts and end up in the way.
As a side not, I am proud to be in a community of people who are willing to do what you are suggesting!
