Like Martin, I'm in NYC.

NYC sort of has their act together, and in general has for a long time. There may be "issues" getting a scene setup, but a lot of that is infighting. In the SHORT term (say less than 24 hours), it's very possible for the NYC pros to get overwhelmed by shear numbers (where else do you have to move a million people to get them home, even without an evacuation?)

Anyway, one interesting thing I've learned in living NYC my entire life, is that when the going gets tough, NYers, rough as our reputation, tend to band together to help one another. Someone will step up and try to direct traffic for a little while. Someone else will open a hose bib, or a fire hydrant so people can get water. During the 03 blackout, I don't thing I saw a car/truck moving that wasn't totally loaded with people trying to leave the city

Generally, within 12 hours or so, the city will have it's act together - The Red Cross and Salvation Army will be trying to do what they can (Hint, they rarely open shelters here - they use hotels!), information hotlines will be setup (I don't like Mayor Bloomberg, but 311 was a great idea)

That said, NYC disaster service are VERY Manhattan Centric (Just like all city services), with Downtown Brooklyn #2, and then it's a steep fall off after that - Most of Staten Island and Eastern Queens are on their own until the rest of the city is taken care of