response to disaster is implausible. Moreover, rule of law often suffers during disaster crises, making extra-legal, empathic and prosocial responses all the more important. Robust empathic and prosocial sentiment and judgments by authorities will also play a particularly vital role for poor, minority, handicapped, and elderly populations in catastrophic situations. Indeed, much of the destruction during Katrina affected particularly marginalized or vulnerable groups. Nearly half of all persons age 65 or older living in flooded areas during Katrina reported having a disability. Moreover, those impacted tended to be disproportionately poor. Pregnant women also have special needs and face increased risks during disasters, including premature