Water everywhere & not a drop to drink

As I watch the evening news and the reports about the New Orleans disaster, I notice things that irritate me. I see people whining and crying "Help Me, Help Me!" yet I do not see any reports about people helping themselves. I live in Ohio next to the Ohio River and there is not a single flood that I can remember that the streams and river didn't fill up with floating debris. Barrels, tires, plastic buckets, Etc. all are floating down stream. In a city the size of New Orleans you mean to tell me that it is different. With lumber piled up every where from destroyed homes you mean to tell me that no one can bang together enough boards and debris to make a raft! Some where in the south is a huge pile of pots and pans from all the kitchens that where blown down, because I didn't see a single person boiling any river water to drink or wash.
I see no co-operation to make anything better, just thousands of people out for themselves and looking for someone to blame because they are not being taken care of. I feel bad for all the people and kids but at least try to help yourselves. Here's a hint the average hot water tank holds 40 gallons of fresh water!