NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Monday, August 5, 2024

Episode Date: August 6, 2024

Deadly Hurricane Debby hits Florida with high winds, heavy rains and flooding; Stock markets plunge amid fears of a recession; Biles wins silver in gymnastics floor, her fourth medal; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, Hurricane Debbie turning deadly as it slams Florida and the southeast with life-threatening floods. Debbie, roaring ashore as a Category 1 storm with 80-mile-per-hour winds. Massive flooding, roads and neighborhoods underwater, at least four dead, including two children. An 18-wheeler careening off the highway into a canal, the driver killed. And where the storm is headed next, bringing up to 30 inches of rain to the southeast, our team in the storm zone tonight. Also this evening, the market meltdown, the Dow plunging more than 1,000 points, the worst day in nearly two years on renewed fears of a recession. Did the Fed wait too long to cut interest rates? Decision time for Kamala Harris, her veep stakes

now in its final hours. What we know about the plan to announce her running mate tomorrow as Donald Trump attacks Harris over today's stock market drop. With the Mideast on edge, the rocket attack on a base in Iraq, several Americans injured. The Olympic drama here in Paris, Simone Biles taking the silver in the floor exercise and the historic moment at the podium. And Noah Lyles taking his first step toward another gold after that amazing photo finish. And two years after a scary moment in the pool, Anita Alvarez on how she fought her way back to artistic swimming at the Olympics. This is NBC Nightly News reporting tonight from the Olympics in Paris. Here is Lester Holt. Good evening and welcome. We will tell you the big stories from

here at the Olympic Games in Paris in just a few minutes, but we start back home tonight with the next shoes to drop and the weather onslaught threatening parts of the southeast tonight all on the heels of Hurricane Debbie. Debbie now downgraded to a tropical storm after making landfall this morning along Florida's Gulf Coast, pushing 80 mile per hour sustained winds and causing at least four deaths. And now in its aftermath, the rain. Lots of West Florida has already seen rainfall amounts up to 16 inches. Potential historic amounts taking aim at the southeast. Up to 30 inches of rain could bring flash flooding in Georgia and South Carolina's low country. Priscilla Thompson is there.

Whipping winds, torrential downpours, and communities submerged. Everybody's just kind of shocked. Hurricane Debbie wreaking havoc across the coast, slamming Florida as a Category 1 storm. The Sunshine State's west coast pummeled. Jesse Kirsch is there. Even hours after Hurricane Debbie made landfall here in Horseshoe Beach, Florida, you can see some areas still inundated with water. Take a look at this street. It's hard to tell where the roadway ends and the Gulf of Mexico

begins. At least four people have died, including two children. One, a 13-year-old, killed after this tree fell on their home. The driver of this 18-wheeler killed after police say the truck spun out of control, barreling over a concrete barrier into the Tampa Bay Canal. Divers raced to recover the submerged cab. Dramatic video shows the moment two stranded boaters were rescued off the coast of Boca Grande, hoisted to safety. The effects of climate change now producing slower-moving tropical systems with higher rainfall totals.

I've seen tropical storms, brave tropical storms, trees down, but never seen a flood like this, never. Tonight, Georgia now bracing for the worst. This is a once-in-a-thousand-year potential rainfall. With Debbie moving in as a tropical storm, bringing historic rainfall, catastrophic flooding, and potentially deadly tornadoes. Residents in Savannah today rushing to fill sandbags. I'm very worried. With no flood insurance, Brenda Overstreet hoping it will be enough. What do you think you're going to wake up to tomorrow morning? I'm scared of what I'm going to wake up to. I'm hoping I don't wake up to a house full of water.

I really do. All right, Priscilla joins us now from Savannah. Priscilla, Debbie is right over you now. How are things looking there? Well, Lester, the rain is coming down. You can hear the tornado siren going off and the road is starting to flood and it is only going to get worse and more dangerous throughout the night. A flash flood warning and a 10 p.m. curfew have been issued. Meanwhile, more than 200,000 people are without power and more than 7,500 flights impacted. Lester. All right, Priscilla, you and your team, please be safe.

Thank you. Dylan Dreyer is tracking the storm and its potentially catastrophic impact. Dylan, this could be days of flooding for some folks. Yeah, Lester, and unfortunately, that's going to be the big concern. Even though the storm is weakening, it's the rain that's going to last for several days. Right now, winds are up to 50 miles per hour. We could still see those tornadoes developing, too. But as we look at the track of this storm, it's just going to meander off the coast of the southeast through the Carolinas and eventually move up into Virginia by the time we go into the weekend.

So how much rain are we looking at? Well, we are possibly going to see up to 10 to 20 inches of rain. So that creates a high risk of flash flooding. The rain comes down so hard the wipers don't even move fast enough and it piles up very quickly. We can see up to 30 inches of rain, which is almost unheard of and could create some catastrophic flooding, Lester. Dylan Dreyer for us tonight. Thank you. Let's turn to the financial storm and the worst day on Wall Street since 2022. The sell off taking place around the world on concerns the U.S. economy might be slowing, causing fears of a recession. Christine Romans explains. Ringing an end to an awful day in the stock market, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost more than a thousand points. The Dow, along with the Nasdaq and S&P 500, had their worst day in

two years. The selling began in Japan, where the Nikkei had its worst day since Black Monday, 1987. European stocks down hard, too. It was propelled further by the weaker jobs report on Friday. Part of the issue right there is this belief the Federal Reserve is a bit behind the curve here in terms of cutting interest rates. Behind the curve because there are signs growth in the U.S. is slowing. The jobless rate has risen four months in a row. It's a dramatic shift. For almost two years, the worry has been the economy was too

strong and may overheat. That's why the Federal Reserve raised interest rates aggressively. The fear now is the Fed is moving too slowly to lower those rates and keep the economy in balance. It's a little bit early to go into the bunker here. You still have big gains in the stock is moving too slowly to lower those rates and keep the economy in balance. It's a little bit early to go into the bunker here. You still have big gains in the stock market. The economy still seems okay here based on all of the other data that we've seen. Stocks in the U.S. have had a powerful run over the past year. Enthusiasm over artificial intelligence has driven tech stocks to dizzying heights. Those shares, the epicenter of recent selling. Chipmaker Nvidia this year has doubled. Today, it fell 6%. Now, the Fed is expected to start cutting interest rates soon.

Christine, lower rates would be a relief for a lot of families. That's right. For those consumers and businesses that borrow already, mortgage rates have begun to fall in anticipation. The 30-year fixed rate loan, mortgage loan, is 6.3 percent, the lowest in a year. Experts hope it's heading to 5 percent soon. Christine Romans, thank you. And with all that in mind, the economy is now front and center again in the presidential race. As we wait to hear who Vice President Harris chooses as her running mate. Here's Gabe Gutierrez.

Tonight, the market meltdown is putting what polls say is voters' top issue back in the spotlight. Former President Trump blasting Vice President Harris over her handling of the economy. Voters have a choice, he writes on social media. Trump prosperity or the Kamala crash and Great Depression of 2024. If Harris wins this election, you will quickly have a Kamala economic crash. Calling his attacks chaotic, ranting lies, the Harris campaign today argued Trump's economic plans would raise costs on working families and would supercharge inflation. Still, in a new poll, just 25 percent of registered voters said they'd be better off financially under a President Harris, while nearly half said they'd be better off on their

second Trump term. With delegate online balloting wrapping up tonight, Harris is set to make history, officially securing the Democratic presidential nomination, the first woman of color at the top of a major party's ticket, And a decision on her running mate is imminent. Two sources familiar with the plantel NBC News, she's expected to announce her choice tomorrow in a digital video ahead of an evening rally in Philadelphia. Of the six contenders in the mix, she hosted at least three of them at her Washington residence over the weekend. Pennsylvania Governor and former prosecutor Josh Shapiro, Minnesota Governor and retired school teacher Tim Walz, as well as Arizona Senator and former astronaut Mark Kelly.

It's not clear who's in and who's out, but amid the growing scrutiny, Kelly deleted a post Sunday that read in part, Now my mission is serving Arizonans. His staff says it was just a standard post. Shapiro, meanwhile, who could help Harris in the critical state of Pennsylvania, is facing backlash from some progressives over his criticism of some pro-Palestinian protesters. He played coy this weekend when asked about his VP chances. I'm taking my dog for a walk. Whoever Harris picks, the pair is set to hold rallies in key battleground states throughout

the week, though campaign officials tell us Tropical Storm Debbie is forcing the postponement of at least one of the stops. Lester? All right, Gabe Gutierrez, thank you. Now to the Mideast, Israel on high alert for potential retaliation from Iran after the recent assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. But we've just learned from the Pentagon that a military base housing Americans has been attacked in Iraq. Richard Engel is in Jerusalem. Richard, what do we know? Lester, that attack took place on an air base in western Iraq that was hit by at least one rocket. Several U.S. personnel were injured. A suspected Iranian-backed militia is believed responsible.

But that is not the much larger attack that here in Israel officials are bracing for. They are expecting at any moment a direct attack by Iran and its allies. The CENTCOM commander is here to help coordinate a potential response. President Biden today met with his security team in the Situation Room. Iran attacked Israel back in April, but then Iran telegraphed what it was going to do, so most of its rockets and drones were shot down. This time, there's a lot more mystery about what might happen. Lester.

Richard Engel, thank you. And here in Paris, they weren't all gold, but Team USA continued its impressive medal run today from track and field to gymnastics. Tom Yamas joins me here. Tom, there was a big win just now for the host country. That's right, Lester. France late tonight advancing to the gold medal match against Spain in men's soccer. But it's what happened in gymnastics and on that podium, something we've never seen before. And now the possibility this may be the last time we see Simone Biles compete in an Olympics.

Tonight, history and high drama at the very last gymnastics event of the Paris Games, the floor final. Just out of bounds there. Simone Biles stepped out of bounds twice, enough to cost her gold. It went instead to Brazil's Rebecca Andrade. Team USA's Jordan Childs won bronze. For the first time, three black women stood atop an Olympics gymnastics podium. Biles and Childs bowing down to Andragy. Jordan was like, should we bow to her? And I was like, absolutely. Childs originally finished in fifth place, but her coaches appealed her score. When the judges bumped it up on review, she screamed with

joy. They say in gymnastics, falls can be contagious, and that seemed to be the case in today's balance beam final. Biles fell off the beam, as did her teammate Suni Lee. Both missed the podium. Final attempt for the world record. And tonight, triumph at track and field. Sweden's Mondo Du! Electrifying the crowd with a new world record in pole vault. And Val Allman overjoyed to win a second straight gold in discus. To walk away on top, it's just, I'm pinching myself. And Noah will do just what he has to do. And Noah Lyles advanced through the first round of the 200 after winning the 100 meter by just five thousandths of a second. You got it around your neck. How does it feel? I know it's been a long time coming. Yeah, it's uh, gosh, it feels good.

I knew that I was the person to get it, but you still have to get it. It has to be on your neck. It has to be in your hands. And here it is right here. Fans still marveling at the photo finish. Noah Lyles extended his torso over the finish line, but it was this device right here that confirmed he was the fastest man in the world. It shoots a beam across the finish line, and when he broke that threshold, he was the winner. Tonight, Lyles taking his first steps towards what's known as the double, winning both the 100 and 200, something an American man hasn't done in 40 years. Now that you have the medal, is the 200 more pressure or less pressure? It's less pressure, for sure. It's definitely having fun. Tom Llamas, NBC News, Paris.

Tonight, don't miss Simone Biles, Suni Lee, and Jordan Childs for the final night of gymnastics. Coverage starts at 8 Eastern here on NBC. In 60 seconds, the death of Sonia Massey. What the former deputy who shot and killed her says about why he fired that deadly shot. That's right after this. We're back now with the investigation into the police shooting death of Sonia Massey that has prompted nationwide outrage. And new tonight, we're hearing from the now-fired deputy why he fired the fatal shot. Antonia Hilton has more. Field reports just released by the county sheriff's office reveal former deputy Sean Grayson says he feared for his life in the moments before he shot and killed Sonia Massey. Why would it hurt you? You called us.

In the new report written three days after the incident, Grayson claims it was this remark that frightened him. Oh, I'll repeat you in the name of Jesus. I'll puke you in the name of Jesus. You better f***ing not. That's what I got. I'll f***ing shoot you right in the f***ing face. He says he interpreted this to mean she was going to kill me.

I drew my weapon out and pointed it at Sonia. I gave her loud, clear verbal commands to drop the pot of boiling liquid. Drop the f***ing pot! The f***ing drop the f***ing pot! He says as he approached, Sonia stood up from a crouched position, grabbing the pot, raising it above her head,

and throwing the boiling substance at me. I was in imminent fear. Jump for it! Jump for it! Soon after, Grayson shot Massey in the face, killing the 36-year-old. I'm not taking hot boiling water to f***ing face. According to the department, he did not activate his body camera until after shooting her,

making it more challenging to verify what happened. Grayson, who has been fired, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and misconduct charges. Lester? Antonio Hilton, thank you. We'll take a break right here. Up next, we'll take you inside the basketball boom here in France, fueled by some of the world's biggest rising stars in the game. Team USA in action on the basketball court.

Both the men's and women's teams have dominated here in Paris, but they could be on a collision course with the team from France, the host country buzzing with basketball fever. Here's Stephanie Gosk. Team USA men and women are both 3-0 going into the basketball quarterfinals. The women looking to win a record-setting eight gold medals in a row. And while it would be a real shocker if the U.S. didn't dominate down the stretch, the home team favorites will put up a fight.

Team France men and women are also in the quarterfinals. Basketball, or as they call it here, le basket, has surged in popularity. Across France, club leagues are exploding. Is it crowded like this every night? Every night, every day. Gotham Raj helps organize the games. I used to play soccer when I was young, but then I learned my basketball over here on this playground. Right where we are. Yeah, right over here. I was like 17. The enthusiasm for this quintessentially American sport, fueled by some big NBA stars, French stars. Zachary Rizashe drafted first overall in this year's NBA draft. Victor Wimbanyama drafted first last year. This past draft, I walk in the hotel and I say, bonjour, bonjour.

In New York City? In New York City, at the draft, you know. And people are saying bonjour to you. Yes, and I start getting goosebumps. Sports agent Buna Endai reps Wimbanyama, who he met when he was just 12 years old. The NBA and basketball is such a part of the identity in the United States. Would you say that basketball has become part of the French identity? Now it's starting. This year, the NBA are playing two games in Paris. Two. And the two games are already sold out. This is a cool sport.

And it's growing. And it's growing at a very fast pace. Now the French stars have a massive stage close to home. I'm just embracing it and enjoying it as much as I can because so many people dream of living what I'm living right now. And as the battle heats up for gold, Olympic hoop dreams are taking root on courts from L.A. to New York to Paris. Stephanie Gosk, NBC News, Paris. And up next as we continue tonight, she stopped breathing in the pool. Now two years later, an artistic swimmer's incredible Olympic comeback story.

The artistic swimming competition kicking off here in paris and a familiar face back in the pool for team usa anita alvarez two years after a terrifying moment in the pool is writing her comeback story at these games here's dana griffin as dawn breaks team USA's artistic swimmers are already warming up. Their faces slathered in sunscreen, in the water nearly eight hours a day, six days a week. Five, six, seven, eight. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. Intricate, gravity-defying moves while upside down, holding their breath. A grueling effort. People don't realize because our job is to make it look easy.

But during the 2022 World Championships in Budapest, three-time Olympian Anita Alvarez reached her limit. I saw that her legs were losing color and I was like, whoa. Anita lost consciousness sinking to the bottom of the pool. Her coach Andrea Fuentes dove in fully clothed to save her. I was like, Anita, like yelling at her for her to wake up. Anita, without oxygen for nearly two minutes. I remember swimming the routine and being so present. And then all of a sudden, you know, waking up,

looking up at the sky and all these medical people around me. It's been two years since that scary day. You were really behind. And to get medically clear to compete again, Anita had to push her body once again to the brink. And you said once that this sport is about discovering your limits. Yeah. When does an athlete know that they've reached their limit?

When they bust out. Just go bam, bam, bam, bam. So doctors asked Coach Fuentes to design the most grueling practice possible while Anita was hooked to the heart monitor to make her pass out again. There was a moment that he told me, okay, stop, because this is like more than what I've seen with a Navy SEALs. Like, she's not passing out, so the problem is it's not in the heart. In the moment, it was just like, I just need to do whatever I need to do

to make sure that I'm okay and I'm able to continue doing what I love. Anita passed and now keeps a photo of that viral image next to her medals, a reminder of her journey through troubled waters. What does looking at that photo today mean to you? It kind of reminds me of, you know, I pushed through and I stuck with it at times when I was wondering if I should just, you know, be done. Fighting her way back, the true definition of athlete and artist. USA, we move as one! Dana Griffin, NBC News, Los Angeles. And that is nightly news for this Monday.

Thank you for watching. I'm Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night.