NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Saturday, September 28, 2024

Episode Date: September 28, 2024

At least 58 dead in catastrophic storms across the south and southeast; Mideast tensions spark fears of a wider war; SpaceX launched to space to bring back stranded astronauts; and more on tonight’s broadcast. 

Tonight, we're tracking two major breaking news stories. The death toll rising across five states as the remnants of Hurricane Helene leave behind catastrophic damage. And Israel killing the leader of the terror group Hezbollah. The world on edge about a wider war erupting. In the U.S. parts of North Carolina underwater, the city of Asheville submerged. Houses literally floating away. Mudslides burying roads, residents now kayaking through streets, and new details on this hospital's risky evacuation.

Patients airlifted out as floodwaters closed in. I was very concerned that we was going to lose the hospital. Millions without power across the region, residents desperate for food, water, and gas. In Florida, neighborhoods decimated. Barrier islands cut off. Our reporter is there. They don't even have access to clean drinking water and they don't know when they will again. Also breaking, the Hezbollah leader killed in an Israeli airstrike.

The terror chief behind countless attacks on Israelis and Americans. Outrage in the streets of Lebanon. Iran calling for revenge. Will Israel launch a ground assault inside Lebanon next? Plus, the rescue mission to space. The SpaceX rocket ship blasting off to bring those two shredded astronauts back home. This is NBC Nightly News with jose diaz ballard good evening we will get to the fast-moving events in the middle east in just a moment but we are going to begin with a growing disaster at home at least 58 people dead across five states as hurricane helene and its remnants make their deadly march north this is the scene of destruction on the Gulf Coast.

Buildings simply wiped away. While some 500 miles north, homes are being swept away by raging floodwaters, the storm throwing off a vicious variety of deadly weather extremes. In Florida, it was the raw force of the Category 4 hurricane that simply flattened entire homes, overwhelming them with wind and storm surge. In Georgia and further north, it was a strong winds that damaged buildings and knocked out power to millions. But it is in North Carolina and Tennessee where the situation is growing increasingly dire tonight and residents more desperate. We have coverage across the region, but we begin with George Solis in

Asheville, North Carolina. Tonight, an unfolding catastrophe in Asheville, North Carolina. Homes and buildings swept away by raging floodwaters that have submerged the town. It's beyond anything I've ever seen in my lifetime. Parts of the town not underwater completely cut off. Somebody on a Facebook post said something about having to fly out of Asheville because you can't drive out of Asheville. That extreme? Yeah. With no power and no cell service, crowds formed outside this hotel, one of the only places in town with working Wi-Fi. We've been just trying to get on as much as we can and either get an email or a text out and just let everybody know that we're okay. We met up with Cindy Tran, her forever home, a self-described oasis ravaged by the cresting

French Broad River nearby. The water came up so quick, halfway up to the second floor. We thought the way it just kept rising so fast, it was going to get to the second floor. So we had to get out. A similar scene in the town of Chimney Rock, virtually wiped off the map by floodwaters. Meanwhile, the heavy rains triggering a massive mudslide that washed out this stretch of I-40, a major highway connecting western and eastern parts of the state. One bit of good news, two dams that were in danger of collapse, the Nolichucky and Lake Lure dams, now appear to be okay as water levels slowly recede. Helene's flooding rains bringing devastation to Tennessee as well. In Irwin, the scene of this dramatic rescue. Patients and staff rushing to the roof

as floodwaters engulf the Unicoi County Hospital. Boats and helicopters converging to quickly get them to safety. I was very concerned that we was going to lose the hospital. In South Carolina, crews dug this tree off a car. Strong winds leaving more than a million people there without power. Back in Asheville, residents resorting to kayaks to get around flooded streets as they figure out how to move forward. Are you okay? I will be. Every now and then. I was fine yesterday, believe it or not, but now like, things have been settling in and I just can't stop crying. Although the water has started to recede, the damage is already done. And with more potential rain in the forecast, people here just don't know how much more they can take. Jose.

George Solis in Asheville. Thank you. In Florida, the Tampa Bay area has been torn apart by Hurricane Helene. Parts of the Big Bend nearly wiped off the map. And the Berry Islands, just off the coast, some are cut off and running low on clean water. Marisa Parra made it to one of those islands. Tonight, as Florida's death toll from Hurricane Helene rises, the loss becomes all too clear. Entire neighborhoods ripped to shreds, homes decimated, boats thrown into parking lots. We're very fortunate. We're very fortunate that we're alive.

Helene is the third hurricane to slam into Florida's Big Bend in just 13 months. Entire houses are missing or flattened in on themselves. Michael Presley Bobbitt weathered the storm from Cedar Key. This recovery will be measured in years and years, not months. Michael Presley Bobbitt weathered the storm from Cedar Key. This recovery will be measured in years and years, not months. The storm's fury felt over 100 miles away. A storm surge of record levels flooded the barrier islands just off of Florida's coast in the Gulf of Mexico. The aftermath left residents like Stephen Boccelli unable to get back to his family. I have a wife of 48 years that I've left on the island by herself,

and she's pretty frustrated and stressed out. Near St. Petersburg, crews are working through mounds of sand several feet tall, searching for whatever and whoever they can find. We have active search and rescue out there going through every single structure, making sure if there's anybody in there that still could be rescued. On barrier islands like this one, not only are people completely isolated, they don't even have access to clean drinking water, and they don't know when they will again. Jan Martin made her escape as the storm was rolling in, but isn't sure what's left. Do you have any idea what your place looks like? I don't think there's anything left.

Marisa, rescue and cleanup operations have been going on all day. What are things, how do things look right now? Well, Jose, as you're about to see right next to me, clearly a lot of cleanup to be done. There are still search and rescue teams out today. This as the survey damage is just starting to see if Helene will go down as one of the costliest hurricanes in history. Jose. In Georgia, meanwhile, winds more than 90 miles an hour strong knock down buildings, trees and electric lines. Hundreds of thousands are without power tonight.

Priscilla Thompson is in Valdosta. And Priscilla, it was the strong wind there that caused the most damage. Absolutely, Jose. Those hurricane force winds decimated parts of this community, ripping off the entire brick wall of this building and part of the roof here in this historic building that houses dozens of businesses. The death toll right now stands at 17 people killed in Georgia. The governor saying that it looks like a bomb went off across the state. Today, many people turning to food distribution sites for ice and water as more than 700,000 here are without power.

And officials say it may be weeks that people are left in the dark. Jose. Priscilla Thompson in Valdosta. Thank you. And turning now to our other breaking story tonight, Israel killing the leader of the terrorist group Hezbollah in an airstrike. The attack could trigger a larger war. And we want to take a brief moment to explain why. We've been covering Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza. That's there. You see it. Israel's southwest. Hamas led the October 7th massacres on Israel. But since that day, almost a year ago, Israel has also been attacked from the north by Hezbollah, which is based in Lebanon and also opposes Israel's right to exist. Hezbollah

launching a near daily barrage of rockets, forcing tens of thousands of Israelis living in the north to evacuate their homes for nearly a year and counting. And one last player in all of this, Iran, which closely supports Hezbollah and has already vowed revenge. Israel has ramped up its attacks on Hezbollah in recent weeks, and now there are questions of whether a ground assault is next. Matt Bradley reports from Lebanon tonight. Tonight, the streets of Lebanon erupting with rage and sorrow. We're waiting for you. We're waiting for your smile. We're waiting for your voice, said this mourner in Beirut.

Please rise. After the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah confirmed the death of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in Israeli airstrikes the day before, a succession of deeply penetrating bombs that leveled several residential buildings, the death toll still unknown. We witnessed the blast from our live position. Well, you're still seeing the smoke rising from this attack right in the southern area of Beirut, right on Hezbollah's main command and control center, according to the Israelis. This was a loud boom, and we heard it rattling the windows here.

Venerated and beloved by millions across the Arab and Muslim worlds, Nasrallah was designated as a terrorist by the U.S. government and not seen in public for years for fear of an Israeli assassination attempt. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today saying Nasrallah wasn't yet another terrorist, he was the terrorist. The announcement of his death sparked cheers on beaches in Tel Aviv. Despite a week of escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah, his killing came as a shock, even leading to a rare flash of frustration from the U.S. Secretary of Defense. The United States was not involved in Israel's operation.

We had no advance warning. Nasrallah took Hezbollah's helm in 1992 after his predecessor was killed, also in an Israeli airstrike. With help from Hezbollah's patron state, Iran, he built the group into a formidable fighting force and political power, with seats in Lebanon's parliament and ministers in its government. Since Hamas's October 7th attacks, he led Hezbollah's year-long fight against Israel. His death has left the powerful group battered, leaderless, and many fear more dangerous than ever. Matt Bradley is in Beirut tonight. Matt, what are the risks now of

retaliation from Hezbollah and its allies? Well, Jose, Hezbollah and other Iran-backed militant groups throughout the region, including Iran itself, have vowed to exact vengeance on Israel for Nasrallah's death. But Israel is getting ready. They've activated three reserve battalions just today. Jose. Matt Bradley in Beirut. Thank you. With tensions boiling over in the Middle East, it brings up new fears of a wider war.

Let's get right to NBC Pentagon correspondent Courtney Kuby. Courtney, President Biden has now weighed in. That's get right to NBC Pentagon correspondent Courtney Kuby. Courtney, President Biden has now weighed in. That's right, Jose. President Biden called Nasrallah's death a measure of justice for his victims, which includes Americans, but today also reiterated the need for a ceasefire. And administration officials tell me patience is thin after Israel took another action that could draw the U.S. into a larger conflict. Today, military officials presenting Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin with options to strengthen the U.S. military presence in the region. But with 40,000 troops there already, officials are confident in the posture

and say options could include extending some current deployments. Jose? And, Courtney, what about the thousands of Americans in Lebanon? What's the U.S. doing for them at this point? Well, today, the State Department told Americans in Lebanon? What's the U.S. doing for them at this point? Well, today, the State Department told Americans to register online if they need help leaving Lebanon. The airport is operational, but commercial flights are limited. So the Pentagon has options ready for charter flights or U.S. military assistance if necessary.

But as of now, administration officials say they do not see an immediate need for either. Jose. Courtney Kuby, thank you very much. Coming up, remember those astronauts stranded in space? Well, their ride home just launched the latest on the mission to bring them back to Earth. And now to the new mission to bring those stranded astronauts back to Earth. Today, SpaceX launched a rocket to meet the crew. It will reach them tomorrow, but because of the normal six-month crew change

schedule on the space station, they won't be coming home until February. Tom Costello has details. One, ignition, engine full power, and liftoff of crew9. Go SpaceX, go Falcon, go NASA. Blasting off Launch Pad 40 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, SpaceX Crew-9 headed for the International Space Station for a crew rotation that's become anything but normal. Vehicle is supersonic. On board, veteran astronaut Commander Nick Hague and Russian astronaut Alexander Gorbunov. Staying behind, original crew members Zina Cardman and Stephanie Wilson. I just want you to know we're going to find spots for them to fly.

Their empty seats will be taken by Butch Wilmore and Sonny Williams on the return flight in February. Wilmore and Williams have been on the space station since June, unable to return home due to problems with their Boeing Starliner spaceship, which returned home without them. Now, Williams has been named space station commander. This is my happy place. I love being up here in space. It's just fun. Williams and Wilmore are getting new spacesuits since their Boeing suits can't be used in a SpaceX ship on return. And since they trained in Boeing Starliner, they now have to learn the SpaceX systems while already in orbit. Nick Hague talked about it before blasting off today.

That's going to be top priority when we get there is having that dedicated time to help them understand what they're going to need to do to operate as part of the Crew-9 crew. We've got a Falcon on board with us. Once in orbit, Haig introduced his own zero-G friend named Aurora as the ship's Falcon 9 booster landed perfectly back on Earth. Crew-9 docks with the space station at 5.30 p.m. Eastern time Sunday, not returning home until next February, by which time Wilmore and Williams' 10-day mission will have lasted eight months. Jose? Tom Costello, thank you. Still ahead, the new NBC News poll giving us a look at where Latino voters stand. They could decide the election. They are one of the fastest growing voting demographics in the country,

Latinos, and how they vote in this year's election could decide the presidency. But as a preview of our new NBC News Telemundo poll reveals, their views on the issues are just as diverse as the community itself. David Noriega reports from Las Vegas. In Battleground, Wisconsin today, Donald Trump slamming Kamala Harris' visit to the U.S.-Mexico border late Friday. Talking about how she's going to start getting very tough. Why didn't she do this four years ago? Harris visited the border in Battleground, Arizona.

Those who cross our borders unlawfully will be apprehended and removed. But on this playing field, the border is not the top concern. What are the most important issues for you? Family. Family income. You know, just the cost of living. I want to be able to support myself and my children. On the sidelines here in Las Vegas' heavily Latino east side, household budgets are top of mind. Griselda Martinez is leaning toward Trump, but she says Harris could still win her vote. I love what Donald Trump did for us as an economy while he was in presidency, and I don't know what she has to offer. A new NBC News Telemundo CNBC

poll of Latino voters finds the cost of living is by far the group's top concern. Many Latino voters are still persuadable, but they can be hard to reach. So this progressive organization focused on Latino voters is trying to reach them where they are, like on these city buses. Latinos are the unicorn of every electoral cycle. Just growing that Latino electorate by small amounts would make a dramatic shift in the state of the race here. Latinos are critical nationwide, and the reason can be summed up in one word, growth. By one estimate, 27 million Latinos were eligible to vote in 2016. This year, that figure is 36 million. And though Latinos are far from a unified bloc, their vote is shifting,

from 71 percent going for the Democrat in 2012 down to 61 percent in 2020. I know Trump. He's going to get us through it. A change that's evident back out on the soccer field. David Noriega, NBC News, Las Vegas. And we will have more of that NBC News poll tomorrow on Meet the Press. Plus, Kristen Welker sits down with Republican Senator Marco Rubio and Democratic Senator Mark Kelly. And when we come back, the new Major League Milestone. Finally tonight, there is a new Major League milestone to tell you about,

and it's a heartbreaker for Chicago White Sox fans. The team lost to the Detroit Tigers last night, but that's only part of it. That defeat marked 121 losses this season, officially making the White Sox the worst team in modern baseball history. There's always next year. That's NBC Nightly News for this Saturday. I'm Jose Diaz-Balart. Thank you for the privilege of your time and good night.