Authorities make us buy cars with seat belts, airbags, etc., forcing us to use them for our own good. So if city officials are kicking the can down the road by not preventing floods in a flood plain, why not create legislation that mandates that every house must have an inflatable boat attached to the upper part of the house, akin to life-rafts on ships. After all, we already have to have smoke detectors, CO2 detectors and water heater bracing (here in California) among other items. I have an inflatable boat, although I've never seen a flood, but they're cheap. (Written in jest; be aware of the dangers where you live!)
The towns are responsible for public saftey. Maintaining pumps, planning evacuation protocols and keeping dams maintained are the proper function of a city Government. The infrastructure and planning in Houston are an indictment and facetious comments about escape boats will not deflect blame from the mayor & prior mayors although they may confuse the unwary or unthinking.