Did they ask that of FEMA, too? Is that common practice? I understand why they wouldn't want tons of stuff lying around that might get ruined or become inaccessable, but what about a skeleton crew of folks to survey?
The question was why didn't the Red Cross go into NOLA. The Red Cross replied that it had been directed not to enter (after the hurricane) by powers under the control of the Louisiana executive branch(es). FEMA follows orders and direction given by the state, as a first response. The "locals" have the first handle.
Obviously there was some sort of survey activity, because the Louisiana state authorities gave as a reason to deny permission to enter, that the safety of the relief workers could not be appropriately secured.
In order to secure safety, additional force resources needed to be deployed. That too is (first) a state call.