If every store tripled the price of bottled water you would have truckloads of water arriving within 24 hours with absolutely no government intervention at all
In post hurricane road conditions? You don't live in New York, do you?
If the price of water tripled, a decent section of the population would struggle to afford it. That is the start and end of that debate, as far as I am concerned. I believe in the free market up until it starts starving people.
You are viewing this as a static situation (i.e. the price will stay high) and ignoring other ways for people in need to be assisted. Ensuring a shortage (by limiting price) isn't helpful.
Let the price float as needed and if you feel like some people are being priced out of the market, give them cash for them to spend as needed. Some people will need water. Other people will need food. Some folks will have both and instead will spend the money on gas for their generator.
Emergency cash assistance is a much better way to assist those in need and ensure that the market will rapidly adjust to provide resources in the right quantity and right location (due the the pricing signals).
In post hurricane road conditions? You don't live in New York, do you?
If the price of water tripled, a decent section of the population would struggle to afford it. That is the start and end of that debate, as far as I am concerned. I believe in the free market up until it starts starving people.