In a recent press release from Dell, they referenced the flooding related HDD shortage, and noted that the supply shortage was passing and as a result they were seeing lower HDDs prices.  It may take a little longer for the prices to come down to where you want on the consumer side, but it sounds like the worst has passed.  Seagate, who just acquired LaCie, also seems to view the supply shortage as coming to an end.  You might want to wait just a little longer if you can before making a major purchase, but it seems like the storm has passed for the most part.  No pun intended.