The "no fly zones" are normally made to assist in controlling rescue aircraft. However, I was under the impression there were altitude limits on most of them after disasters. Anyone have copies of NOTAMs for that time period? They should have been published and detail the effective altitudes.

There is also no reason that helicopters engaged in news gathering activities could not be permitted, with prior notification, from being in a "no fly zone". This would keep any other "sightseeing" aircraft out of the way, but protect the 1st Amendment right of freedom of the press.

http://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html

Nothing shows up for Temporary Flight Restrictions on this list. Perhaps it only shows active ones.