Long-term disaster recovery is never just about one event. But waning attention and support are critical obstacles to rebuilding neighborhoods. This isnвЂ™t unusual in heavily damaged areas as attention and funding priorities change over time. Local road repairs and paving continue in the hardest hit neighborhoods. In 2019 the city sued the Federal Emergency Management Agency for refusing to pay some costs for the project, now scheduled for completion in 2024. It took six years to complete planning and secure federal funding for the Restore Biloxi Project, a $355 million effort to replace water, sewer and drainage systems damaged during Katrina. Key issues included finding housing covering rising costs for rebuilding elevating structures to meet new flood requirements paying higher insurance premiums and waiting for the city to repair utilities and infrastructure. Many lots sat empty, either for sale or awaiting construction.Д«iloxians who wanted to return after Katrina told me about challenges they faced. In 2010-2011 I met Biloxians who were still working to rebuild storm-damaged homes. These events prolonged KatrinaвЂ™s economic pain. Other disasters followed вЂ“ most notably, the 2008-2009 recession and the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. AP Photo/Jay Reeves, Gerald Herbert Years of challengeД«iloxi and other communities werenвЂ™t out of the woods after Katrina.

Hurricane katrina damage blixi