As of April 18, it appears that Boston got a Presidential Emergency Declaration, so that federal assets could be used to deal with the tragedy that resulted from the explosions.  See this AP article for more details.

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Having grown up in the Boston area, the Diva is greatly saddened by the deaths and injuries from the bombs that exploded there yesterday.  My best wishes to those affected.

For an analysis of the role of social media, see the blog idisaster.

Updates:  April 26, article in AtlanticCities re why Boston was well prepared for a disaster.