Actually, the problem started when the designers of the plant decided to place the emergency generators to power a shutdown scenerio at a location near sea level.
If they had been smart, the gensets would have been sited on the bluff above the plant, and emergency power would have kicked in within seconds, to shut down the plant. Once the gensets we’re flooded, it was all over!
Exact thing that caused Katrina floods to overcome the emergency pumps.
IMO nuke plants should be built below their cooling water source. If pumps fail, manually open the valves and let gravity do the rest.
Yes, it would restrict where the plants were built but better be safe than sorry.