First let me state that the failed response in Puerto Rico is primarily is due to corruption and ineptness of the territory and local governments squarely on the island. The federal government provided plenty of assistance which was not distributed or frittered away. As noted in the other thread there is still an entire road full of cases of water a year after the storm that were not distributed by island officials.
In the Carolinas -- as we have done through many storms we rely on the state and local governments for the initial response in the first week or two after the storm. The Feds only come into play later with FEMA and Housing follow-up as required.