As I understood it, the reason the cleanup of some areas of New Orleans after Katrina were similar to the delay along parts of the Jersey shore after Hurricane Sandy: Nobody was going to risk investing in an area that wasn’t naturally stable, and any constructions would be difficult, if not impossible, to insure. Even the Ground Zero rebuilding in NYC was delayed for many years; there simply wasn’t enough demand for new office space there (the vacancy rate even back in 2001 undoubtedly saved many lives by reducing stairwell traffic during the evacuation).
Difference was in State/local governments - and quality of people...
NOLA is a Leftist enclave and nobody wanted to roll up their sleeves and get to work - they wanted the government to do it all and the government was incompetent.
In MS, cleanup started immediately and the citizens worked to take care of their own properties...can still remember folks who escaped major damage, sitting on their porches and waiting for those who read their signs
“Have A/C and water - if you need a break and/or shower and a meal, you are welcome”
Local store owners also worked with relief folks to dispense water and to allow folks to ‘clean them out” before FEMA and other agencies had a good foothold to provide basics.
Perhaps I made a mistake with my “make plans for the site” part of the comment...point is, we wouldn’t allow the company to leave the site an eyesore and leave unrecovered remains withing.