Could I upgrade my personal insurance to prevent this in the future?

Because of the Hurricane the Insurance companies will be imposing moritoriums on their agents preventing the writing of new business until the storm is past. 

Preventing that process is probably the greatest opportunity both for investors and victims.

Laws can be different in each state.Now is the time to seek advice from an experienced real estate attorney in your area to prevent any serious mistakes you might make dealing with these people.

I think you are trying to solution a side effect versus the root cause.

For various reasons, I'd really like to get a tenant in there who has personal roots/ties in the town I'm in.

Katrina caused massive infrastructure damage that prevented people returning to there homes for months (not days or weeks, but months).  

That prevented me from getting a HELOC on my primary residence so I imagine it will come into play here.I'm looking for advice on next steps and timing. 

Some thoughts:We have to do something to prevent further loss.

These realtors don't understand the many different exit strategies in real estate investing and that these exclusive rep agreements prevent them.