It's because it's the Redneck Riviera, as Chris Matthews put it. If this were New York or Los Angeles they'd be wall to wall.
Los Angeles and New York love NO, and most of the the fortunate from both have been there many times. We love this city. I can't imagine that is the reason. If it were just the Mississippi coast, but I could imagine the lack of interest, sort of. A national treasure has been lost. It may come back, but if it does, it won't be the same, not ever. I wonder if the low lying areas will ever be rebuilt. It might be foolish to do so. The place might be turned into a paradise island kind of place, hugging the high ground. Even worse will be Jefferson County. Meanwhile the whole place is sinking about a half foot every twenty years or so due to the lack of natural silting that built up the place over the centuries along the river banks. It is on borrowed time.