I believe one should actually THINK before you put your personal assets at risk. This could have been a possible line of logic: 1.) There is a problematic river (if you don’t know about its past...well...you should before you buy 2.) There is a small hill called a levy protecting you from it 3.) There is no other residential neighborhoods there or planned to be there, or has ever been thought of being put there...mmmm... wonder why? 4.)It is a known flood plain regardless of what your “saleman” tells you 5.) Take some personal responsibility for yourself without always having to point your finger at someone to blame for your stupidity 6.) If you do buy, learn the back stroke!!
Look—I agree with you philosophically.
But the way things stand now - laws, regs, insurance, etc - we all end up paying for this mess!
There is a long tradition of private insurance involving itself in these things...but since the govt got into this with the National Flood Insurance Program lots don’t bother to get it.
Self insurance should be mandatory when buying real estate... and if private insurance won’t write the policy or it costs an arm and leg, too bad..find another place to live or take the consequences.
This way we all don’t get saddled with the bills!