If an aging nuclear plant surrounded by a wall of sandbags does not wake a person from their slumber, nothing will. The advantage the US has is that we did stop building those old plants. The newer plants are safer and if they can be built above flood plains they will be much safer over time. Japan will quickly become a lost cause. France will be absolutely screwed over time. The Russians and the Ukranians, well, they have been screwed for decades. And the NorthEast US is also absolutely screwed due to the density of old nuclear plants. And all those second world countries that allowed US/Japan/French/Russian firms to build nuclear reactors in their country, well.... they might want to rethink that decision.
Calm down. The most recent nuclear plant to begin operation did so about twenty years ago, so I think that we can characterize all of them as “aging”. These “aging” nuclear plants are running at an average capacity factor of about 90%, which is pretty darn impressive and which is evidence that this “aging” factor that has you so upset probably really isn’t a detriment to safe, efficient, and economic operation.
France, for what it is worth, will be laughing all the way to the bank as it sells electricity throughout Europe because the Germans and the Italians took counsel of their fears.
I am sorry that you have a problem with sandbags.