The search for victims of deadly flooding in Texas Hill Country is headed into its third week as officials try to pin down exactly how many people remain missing.

Professional crisis communicators watched the news conferences with dismay. Deflecting blame is not helpful if politicians want to build trust with the public, they say.

Mimi Hymel said the trauma of escaping Hurricane Katrina had a lasting impact on her childhood. But 20 years later, she’s found a way to bring comfort to the youngest survivors of today’s natural disasters.