stormranger still picking up scattered areas of downpours and gusty wind. we will see the high wind warning ending at 10:00 tonight. flood watches, though, ongoing into tomorrow morning with less rain and less wind monday. trending drier towards the middle part of the week. >> with the ground saturated, it doesn't mean the trees are going to stop falling. heads-up. there will be roads closed, et cetera. thanks for watching. >> "nightly news" is next. we'll see you again at 6:00. tonight, the life-threatening storm hitting california right now bringing the first-ever hurricane-force wind warnings to parts of the state. the california coast bracing for potentially catastrophic flooding. hundreds ordered to evacuate

as much as a foot of rain set to fall in parts. this tree crushing a car on the pacific coast highway. fears that the storm may disrupt the grammys. and a pebble beach golf tournament postponed. the u.s. vowing more retaliation for the deaths of american soldiers in the middle east as the pentagon releases new information about this weekend's strikes including that there are no signs any iranians were killed what the administration now says about striking iran directly. have you ruled out strikes inside iran? >> out-of-control wildfires in chile killing more than 99 1200 homes destroyed residents fleeing through walls of flames our new nbc news poll, former president trump's lead growing over president biden and new details on the senate immigration deal, but is it dead on arrival a former trump official killed during a carjacking spree the latest in a string of high-profile incidents across the

the u.s. and the power of gratitude. why these letters meant so much to these teachers >> i love you too, honey that is so kind. >> thank you this is "nbc nightly news" with kate snow. good evening the warnings from government forecasters are blunt, calling the storm hitting california right now extremely dangerous and life-threatening, and late today the governor declared a state of emergency much of the state bracing for a potential catastrophic mix of rain and heavy snow and hurricane-force winds. already more than 360,000 people are without power and that number is expected to grow strong waves have been slamming into san francisco as evacuation orders go into effect in parts of northern california, areas around los angeles and santa barbara. the storm driven by what's known as an atmospheric river is slowly rolling over california and there are very real fears it may stall over the state unleashing a dangerous amount of rain

dana griffin starts us off tonight in santa barbara. >> reporter: tonight, the first-ever hurricane-force wind warning issued for california's central coastline. as wind gusts over 80 miles per hour are felt in northern california this tree crushing a car on the 101 freeway north of san francisco. firefighters worked to free a man trapped inside officials confirming the driver has serious injuries more than 600 properties have been ordered by officials to evacuate in santa barbara, los angeles and ventura counties. >> hopefully it's not quite as bad as they say, but i've got a bad feeling. >> reporter: many have chosen not to leave. relentless weather causing concerns ahead of the grammys' red carpet and postponing the final round of the pebble beach pro am. fierce wind grounding planes at san francisco international airport as schools in impact zones have been canceled monday. >> life safety is our

priority the fire captain shows us the burn scar from the thomas fire and 2018 deadly mudslides in montecito this basin created to stop water and debris from reaching nearby homes. >> that could be life saving >> absolutely. yeah you can see some of the remnants of boulders that have been pulled out before and that's a fraction of the size of the ones that came down during the debris flow they were bigger than houses >> san diego, los angeles, san francisco and sacramento under flood alerts. >> as you heard, this storm that is coming our way is a major storm. it is another atmospheric river expected to last from this evening through tuesday morning it has been described by the weather service as having a, quote, high risk, life-threatening and damaging flooding. >> dana is with me now. dana, what are the biggest concerns in the next couple of days >> so, kate, continuous rain is causing concerns that

creeks like this will overflow their banks things will star to dry out tuesday, but the threat of landslides and downed trees could remain for days kate >> dana griffin out there. thank you. it was one week ago exactly when three u.s. soldiers were killed when an iranian-backed group struck a u.s. base and now the fallout after the u.s. retaliated in a big way friday night, hitting targets in iraq and syria those missiles, the white house says, were just the beginning and tonight iran has a new warning for u.s. forces near the red sea. keir simmons reports from erbil, iraq >> reporter: the bodies of iraqis killed in this weekend's air strikes were buried today. with speeches from pro-iranian leaders calling for america to be cleaned from the country. iraq's prime minister visited the wounded in the hospital, the strikes aiming to punish iran and iranian-backed groups for the attack that killed three u.s. soldiers, but the pentagon admitting today there are no reports of iranians killed or injured.

>> the pentagon says iran's revolutionary guard was targeted and 48 hours later releasing some details of the impact. 84 buildings damaged or destroyed, it says. friday night was just the beginning. national security adviser jake sullivan told nbc's kristen welker >> have you ruled out strikes inside iran >> i'm not getting into what we've ruled in and ruled out >> reporter: iran producing this highly produced video warning the u.s. not to target one of the ships saying it's there to fight pirates. but the u.s. has accused of iran of providing houthis with intelligence and experts believe that's beshad's real role they say it's a spy ship wherever the beshad goes, happens to b where the houthis are targeting, the antiballistic missiles and suicide drones

>> a claim that fits with tracking data n reviewed by nbc news the iranian video today ends with u.s. navy carriers turning red and a threat >> those engaging in terrorist against similar vessels jeopardize international maritime route, security and assume responsibility for potential future international risks. >> reporter: this exclusive nbc news video from our team onboard the "uss dwight d. eisenhower" last night as the u.s. and uk launched 36 strikes against 13 houthi targets today igniting demonstrations in yemen. houthi leaders declaring you will not make us scared or weak >> keir joins me now from iraq. keir, all of this happening with the backdrop of the israel-hamas war, of course, and there's new effort on the diplomatic front there. >> reporter: that's right, kate. secretary of state blinken traveling to the region tonight to try to push again for a ceasefire in gaza.

he was stopped in saudi arabia, in qatar, in israel and egypt and the west bank the biden administration trying to deter iran and achieve peace. tonight, kate, it looks like a battle on both fronts, kate? >> keir simmons for us keir, thank you. there is a deadly and dramatic natural disaster unfolding across the south american country of chile tonight. out-of-control wildfires have already killed nearly 100 people, and now they're closing in on major cities josh letterman has the latest. >> reporter: tonight, a wind-whipped inferno in chile, turning th skies into an orange hellscape. thick smoke blanketing the densely populated valparaiso region, normally a beachside paradise, now a death trap president saying the death toll is already in the 60s by midday, quickly rising to 99

later sunday, according to the medical examiner's office is certain to rise even higher this makes chile's worst natural disaster in 15 years. horrifying videos showing cars dodging flames on the highway. more than 1300 homes destroyed in one area alone, chile's government says. in some neighborhoods almost nothing is left we need help this vina del mar resident says, food for our pets, supplies "i lost my house, everything." wildfires are common in the sizzling chilean summer, but these flames are being fueled by intense heat, heavy winds and low humidity, part of the el nino weather system tonight chile's military is helping firefighters attack the blaze by plane, helicopter and on the ground battling wind gusts up to 37 miles an hour with no end in sight josh letterman, nbc news so destructive there. back in this country, a new nbc news poll out today getting attention. it has president biden

with his weakest showing yet in a hypothetical matchup with former president trump. the poll comes as immigration is set to dominate capitol hill this week. aaron gilcrest is at the white house with more >> reporter: tonight a new gauge of the fight ahead for president biden's re-election. republican front runner and former president donald trump increasing his lead in a new national nbc news poll now up five points in a hypothetical general election matchup and biden trailing by double-digits on the top issues for voters. despite a growing, trump is ahead by more than 20 points on the issue and the same goes for crime and violence the president on the campaign trail celebrating a win in south carolina's democratic primary and spending the night in vegas ahead of nevada's nominating contest. he's courting latino voters, a critical voting bloc with whom our polls show biden and trump tied biden trailing trump by 30 points on immigration and securing the border.

the senate releasing a new immigration bill which if passed has the most reforms to the system in decades. >> and those who do not qualify will quickly be returned to their home countries >> but it may not stand a chance in the house with trump pushing republicans to vote no. >> the deal they're looking at a terrible. any republican who signs it should be ashamed of himself or herself. >> is mr. trump calling the shots here, mr. speaker? >> of course not he is not calling the shots. >> they're not working to fired on real solutions for the american people. they are following orders from the former president. >> reporter: at the border, texas governor greg abbott hosting republican governors who oppose the deal and blasting president biden. >> the open border policies that joe biden has allowed can no longer be tolerated. >> reporter: meanwhile, presidential candidate nikki haley still making a big push to win the south carolina republican primary ♪ >> taking on both runners on snl >> the sixth sense, remember that one? i see dead people.

>> yeah, that's what voters will say if they see you and joe on the ballot. >> president biden released a new statement about the border security deal saying it's the toughest, fairest set of border reforms in decades, and saying he strongly supports it kate >> aaron gilchrist, thank you so much. still ahead tonight, deadly carjacking a former trump official killed as thieves use violence to steal cars nationwide also, remember that terrifying video of a woman trying to save her dog from dognappers there is an arrest in the case

a former trump official has died after being shot during a carjacking in washington, d.c. it's the latest in a string of carjackings in the capital city and beyond many caught on camera. jesse kirsch has details. >> reporter: following a violent carjacking spree in and around the nation's capital, tonight washington, d.c. is remembering a community leader the family of mike gill says he was shot monday in his own vehicle and later died his wife writing the father of three's sudden departure has left a void in our lives that can never be filled. last week's series of attacks just the latest in a rash carjackings nationwide in oakland, california, this car swerved locking the road as the suspect gets out pulling a gun on this approaching driver who eventually drives away. [ screaming >> reporter: and in nearby san francisco, this car caught on camera flying through

trees, flipping over, and crash landing. that vehicle was also carjacked. despite these headlines the latest fbi data actually shows an overall drop in violent crime from january through september last year compared to 2022 that category includes carjackings. the fbi data shows auto thefts did increase in larger american cities. washington, d.c. however, is not in line with the national trend of violent crimes decreasing. in october, a congressman was carjacked about a mile from the u.s. capitol. >> i looked to the left somebody had a gun to the right, somebody had a gun. a third guy behind me. you have to stay calm. >> last year, homicides, sex assaults and assaults with a deadly weapon and robberies were all up in the city compared to 2022 and now washington is under the microscope again following the death of gill who had previously worked in the trump administration the former president writing gill was a special person his family and friends are devastated

the federal government must take over d.c ongoing challenges for a major u.s. city that tonight is again reeling from senseless violence jesse kirsch, nbc news. we are back in a moment with the fbi on a new mission to bus online scammers who promise love, even marriage, but end up stealing your money. plus lessons in gratitude. the surprising way these students are honoring their former teachers

the suspect in a high-profile dognapping case we reported on has now been arrested. this was that terrifying video that got a lot of attention across the nation. you see a woman in l.a. clinging on the hood of a car after someone stole her beloved french bulldog and sped off

she was thrown off and injured. yesterday a suspect was finally arrested in the case and charged with robbery, but the dog named onyx has not yet been recovered. we've reported before on a popular internet scam where someone gets tricked into a relationship, might even fall in love, but ends up swindled out of all their money. well, now the fbi is not only trying to capture these criminals, but they're trying to intervene before any money changes hands. ken delanian has more. >> reporter: she called herself ana and she reached out to barry may over social media. >> an asian woman that supposedly lived in new york on fifth avenue so we just started chatting >> reporter: soon, ana was sending explicit photos may, divorced and retired was smitten. she told him they could be together, but there was a catch. >> if i invested with her -- or invested in the crypto and that

she could come to me and we could get married. >> reporter: he liquidated his 401(k) sending more than half a million dollars, his life savings, and then he got a call from the fbi. >> they said this is a major problem situation, and i'm not the only one. >> it turns out may was involved in a common internet scam and also a new fbi initiative to protect people from financial ruin the scam is called pig butchering so named because victims are likened to hogs, fattened up for slaughter. >> it is incredibly devastating and people are, in fact, losing all they have. >> reporter: enticed by the prospect of romance and riches, thousands of people have sent their hard-earned money overseas >> i have seen losses well into the 2, 3, $4 million range. >> reporter: james barnacle runs the fbi's financial crimes section. he says the scams are typically run by organized criminal groups based in southeast asia >> what kind of losses are we talking about >> in 2023, we see it

well over $3.5 billion of reported losses and over -- around 40,000 victims in the united states >> reporter: most of that money is never recovered. so now fbi investigators are trying something different, using sophisticated cyber techniques to identify can warn victims before they lose all their money. >> between exploiting intelligence and which would be working with financial institutions, reviewing suspicious activity reports, and being able to contac victims and stop them from making further investments. >> i was go to get a loan from the credit union and they said do not do that. i got about $10,000 left in my account to my name, and i've got a daughter at home that's autistic. >> is this financial situation affecting the care that you're able to give >> yeah, because i can't afford medicine. >> reporter: the fbi warning came too late for barry may.

>> reporter: what's your message to other folks watching this? >> run away because 99.9% of the time it's going to be a scam. >> reporter: ken delanian, nbc news, washington >> our thanks to barry for sharing that story. when we come back, words from the heart we're going to tell you what these students just did that moved their teachers to tears

there's good news tonight about the power of gratitude and the meaningful way students at one michigan school surprised their former teachers >> proofread it, stop by my room >> reporter: at roseville middle school near detroit they put a new twist on a big idea started last year by teacher stacy earl.

>> that's perfect! >> the teachers and staff at one school honoring their students in profoundly moving ways. >> you light up our classroom with your kindness >> reporter: back then we showed you what happened when teachers wrote letters of thanks to students now the students are taking a turn. these sixth graders going back to their elementary school to thank their former teachers. >> i haven't seen you in so long >> when i needed extra help you were the teacher that helped me >> thank you >> you're welcome. >> here you go >> thank you >> thank you, honey. how are you? >> you taught me so much stuff about middle school, and you were right it gets hard sometimes. >> hi, honey >> olivia collins had teacher janice litz from kindergarten. >> without you i wouldn't be where i am now. me and my siblings are all very appreciative of you >> oh, honey

thank you. >> thank you so much >> you're welcome. >> i can't believe you remember me. >> this is for you >> thank you that is so sweet i'm going to cry thank you, honey >> i was happy to be your student, and i'm still to this day grateful for having a teacher like you you are the reason i wake up with a smile on my face, sincerely, asher. >> honey, that is so sweet. thank you. can i give you a hug oh, thank you. you just made my whole day. >> reporter: more than 50 heartfelt handwritten letters in all. >> i'm not letting her go each card leading to hug -- >> can i hug you >> thank you i appreciate that. >> reporter: after hug. a meaningful lesson on the power of gratitude. >> oh, here he comes >> second grade teacher jen sakala has been an educator for more than 30 years >> i felt safe in your class.

it was the only class i felt safe in >> thank you, buddy. >> you're welcome. >> you know, you made me cry when you played your instrument because you were so talented when i saw that concert, i was touched. you're amazing thank you. >> this is a hard, difficult job. you put a lot of time, effort emotions into it and when somebody appreciates it, it feels good quit making me cry >> reporter: it's these precious moments that stacy earl hopes students and staff here will remember forever. >> probably the bigger message that i would like everybody to understand or know that you can change a person's life with a small use of words it's very simple. >> thank you so much >> so true stacy says those letter exchanges have had such an impact that she hopes to make it an annual tradition and even expand it throughout the whole

school district. that is nbc "nightly news" for this sunday. lester holt will be with you tomorrow. i'm kate snow. for all of us at nbc news, stay safe. have a great night >> oh, honey i have active psoriatic arthritis. but with skyrizi to treat my skin and joints, i'm feeling this moment. along with clearer skin skyrizi helps me move with less joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and fatigue. and is just 4 doses a year after 2 starter doses. serious allergic reactions and an increased risk of infections or a lower ability to fight them may occur. tell your doctor if you have an infection or symptoms,

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