Even before the Central Texas floods that killed more than 100 people, the state was by far the leader in U.S. flood deaths due partly to geography that can funnel rainwater into deadly deluges, according to a study spanning decades.

By all accounts, forecasters provided adequate warning — the problem was communicating the danger to residents.

More than a week after deadly floods struck Central Texas, search and rescue teams are continuing to probe debris for those still missing.

As I sit down to write this piece, the death toll in Texas has reached 135, with many more than that missing and presumed dead. A national tragedy brought about by biblical-like flooding that took unprepared young and old alike.

The Economist/YouGov poll surveyed nearly 1,680 U.S. adults this week, and 52% blamed lack of government preparation for most of the deaths, mainly centered in Kerr County along the Guadalupe River.

The official tally of storm-related deaths across Texas rose to 131 on Monday as authorities warned of yet another round of heavy rains 10 days after a Hill Country flash flood that transformed the Guadalupe River into a killer torrent.

The president also confirmed that he plans to visit Texas to tour the devastation on Friday with First Lady Melania Trump.

The grim undertaking has prompted questions about how first responders and rescue teams are able to mentally reckon with the work ahead.