Hurricane Katrina’s direct hit on New Orleans in 2005 brought disaster in many ways: almost 1,800 lives lost, $108 billion in property damage, and for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a lingering reputation for failure.

In fact, it might have meant the end for the agency. There’s been talk in the long presidential selection process leading up to Tuesday’s election that FEMA might be a worthy target for elimination or privatization in the name of federal budget-cutting.

Hold on. FEMA, the dope of Katrina, may be turning into the hero of Superstorm Sandy.