Divided US embraces floods as chance to pull together

After a polarizing election and a swirl of controversies that further highlighted their deep divides, Americans have embraced the Texas floods as a rare opportunity to pull together as one.

Since unleashing on Friday night, monster storm Harvey has managed to not only halt normal life in Texas but also silence much of the rancor that has pervaded public discourse since Donald Trump came to power.

While the letup may only be temporary, political rivals that have been at each others' throats have been suddenly emphasizing what unites Americans, while offers of help -- from the east coast to the west -- have been gratefully received in the largest state in the south.

"I'm not hearing the vitriol that we've heard in the past seven months," said Sherry Bebitch-Jeffe, a professor at the University of Southern California.

"Tragic times such as these bring out the best in America's character, strength, charity and resilience are those characters," Trump said on the eve of his departure.

"We see neighbor helping neighbor, friend helping friend and stranger helping stranger.

"We are one American family. We hurt together, we struggle together, and believe me, we endure together. We are one family."

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