Texas has weathered more than its fair share of nature’s fury, enduring a century of hurricanes, floods, explosions and tornadoes that have left deep scars on communities across the state, according to the National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service.

Local and state officials who responded to the catastrophic flooding this month in Central Texas defended their actions in an interview with NBC News, saying they did everything in their power to save lives and are now considering what more could be done to prevent future tragedies.