That's not a response to what I wrote? If we had a better understanding of the variables then we'd almost certainly be able to leverage all the data we have to warn people in time to evacuate. Similar to how wildfires used to kill a lot more people but these days even in the most fire prone regions you'll almost always have time to get out if you heed the evacuation notice.

I agree with you that flood prone areas are generally a poor choice of place to live but it seems to me that's neither here nor there.