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On Friday, a sign of change that could soon spread throughout the city, the store was guarded by soldiers in a pair of Humvees.
Officials said the Red Cross and religious volunteers are preparing ambitious food programs. The Florida National Guard ran through the neighborhoods with food and water. Soon, officials said the area would be littered with canteens and "pods" to allow people to get around to get food and water.
Meanwhile, with cellular and internet service oscillating between irregular and non-existent, residents walked the ruined landscape with all the information they had. Charlotte Jordan, 68, said she heard about the free barbecue offered by her daughter, who called her from Tampa.
Elsewhere in the line, Tracey Simmons, 42, was more angry. "They make us like New Orleans," she said. Mrs. Simmons, an educator, said she feared that the poorest residents would eventually be moved, just like after Hurricane Katrina. For the moment, she was frustrated by the complicated game of survival that was playing out.
"We know people are coming," she said of the rescue teams, but where are they?
Radio personalities played an important role in bridging the gap – for those who had a radio. One station broadcast a sort of improvised community bulletin board, spreading the news of listeners about store openings, offers of help, people in trouble and exasperated:
"Wayne's Grocery has ice cream. "
"In Fountain City, Florida, can anyone have water and formula for a baby?"
"My grandmother needs her medicine and she needs her road cleared."
"We should pursue mobile phone companies."
"You must be patient, my friends," advised the host, Shane Collins, at one point. "We went through a major disaster and it takes time."
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