Many places across the United States have faced extremely cold and dangerous winter weather in recent days. This includes states like Texas and Oklahoma, where such severe winter storms are uncommon. The lack of planning and preparation by leaders in those areas left locals without heat, water, gasoline and other critical services for many days. At least 20 people have died this week. Experts warn that deadly weather will be hitting the U.S. more often, and that the country needs to get better at dealing with it. This week’s storms fit a pattern of worsening extremes under climate change. They also demonstrate that local, state, and federal officials have failed to do enough to prepare communities for extreme and dangerous weather.