By: Kayla Pasacreta

Natural disasters have a unique way of shaking a nation. All eyes are on news forecasts as meteorologists brace viewers for what to expect, all eyes are on the White House to see how they handle and plan to unite the country in a midst of natural disasters, and very real people are subjected to massive floods, displacement, and uncertainty.

Hurricane Harvey has been no exception, leaving residents of Texas forced to deal with heavy rainfalls, flooding, and power outages. 10 people have already died from the effects of the storm. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has described the storm as, "one of the largest disasters America has ever faced". 

Harvey has already brought 30 inches of rain to Houston, but analysts say Houston should expect to brace for at least 60. Rain fall in Houston is not expected to stop until Wednesday. According to Politico, "For most of the Houston area, in a stable climate, a rainstorm like Harvey is not expected to happen more than once in a millennium." The flooding and damage has forced thousands into shelters and displacement, and data shows up to 30,000 Texans could end up in homeless shelters. Many economists predict the economic damage from Harvey will exceed Hurricane Katrina.

Harvey is predictably the worst natural disaster the country has faced so far - and it's no coincidence. With rising temperatures all over, especially in the Gulf of Mexico, that led to increased rainfalls and a lack of wind, it's impossible to not link the changing climate to the series of events in Texas.

The hurricane also poses as a unique challenge to the House and the Senate who are in the works to develop a plan for the debt ceiling. Lawmakers will likely have to add provisions to give emergency funding to areas of Texas affected by the hurricane. If provisions for aid and the debt ceiling are tied into the same package, people from both parties will likely be more willing to vote for it. Should this pass, with or without funding for the wall, it would be a legislative victory for Trump.