The Texas way: why the most disaster-prone US state is so allergic to preparing for disasters

It faces hurricanes, heat, drought, rising seas and - as last week showed - deadly floods. But despite the clear need for preventive action, that is not the political mood

Greg Abbott, the Republican governor of Texas, has had plenty of consoling words to offer following the tragic flash floods in the Hill Country that have killed more than 120 people, including 27 girls and counsellors at the stricken Camp Mystic.

Our hearts grieve for this community and surrounding areas," he wrote on social media. May God bring comfort to every family affected."