breaking overnight, the wicked weather this spring continues. new tornadoes and floods leave at least 19 dead across the southern and central u.s.

michelle grossman has the latest on these severe systems. new this morning, at least 40 are dead in rafah following an israeli strike that hit civilian tents. we have a full report on the devastation and what israel is saying about the strike. delta do over? the airline coming under criticism after video emerged of its own employees mishandling precious cargo. find out how the carrier is promising to address this persistent problem. plenty of points, overtime and an improbable game winner. we recap the rangers and panthers game three face-off, plus the mavs moving one way away from the reaching the nba finals. and honoring the fallen 80 years later. how one soldier is preparing to step on the beaches of normandy to pay tribute to the ones we lost on d-day. it's monday, may 27th. memorial day. "early today" starts right now. glad you are with me this morning on this holiday, i'm

frances rivera. we begin with breaking news. at least 19 people have been killed and dozens more injured across texas, oklahoma, arkansas and kentucky, after devastating storms unleashed their wrath on the central u.s. over the weekend. the severe storms and tornadoes leveling entire neighborhoods. according to the national weather service, a possible ef-2 strength tornado struck valley view texas. officials say as many as 80 people were trapped in the rubble when the gas station they were sheltering in crumbled. the storms continued on sunday delaying the start of the indy 500 and in chicago attendees of a music festival were evacuated after lightning moved in. overnight kentucky's governor issuing a state of emergency after reports of wind damage and tornadoes. this morning hundreds of thousands remain without power from texas to pennsylvania. and the threat continues today. let's bring in nbc meteorologist michelle grossman who is tracking the latest system for us. good morning, michelle.

>> good morning, frances. it was a tough weekend for many and a tough morning, too. we are looking at storms this morning, a strong cold front that's moving to the south and also to the east. you can see lots of storms lined along this cold front. we have tornado watches through this morning. severe thunderstorm warnings, those are in the orange. where you see the red boxes that's where we're seeing tornado warnings. once again, remain weather aware on this memorial day. heavy rain falling, too, with some of these storms and that will be the story as we go throughout this monday. there is that cold front as it moves off to the south, also to the east. we are going to see storms extending from the great lakes, parts of the northeast, all the way down to the southeast. we're going to see the chance of rain, could see 4 or 5 inches in some spots. as far as the severe risk goes, we have 68 million people impacted by severe weather today, new york city, d.c., raleigh, charleston down to montgomery. could see some tough travel on this monday, people getting back from memorial day. winds gusting over 60 miles per hour, could see large hail, also a few tornadoes are possible. could see flooding as well. looking at the chance for flash flooding, especially where you

see this blue area, we could see 4 or 5 inches of rain. more about the storms, also steamy weather, temperatures above normal for this time of year across the south. >> important for our plans today. thank you, michelle. president biden will travel to arlington national cemetery this morning where he will lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier before delivering a memorial day address. meanwhile, former president trump faced a tough crowd over the weekend when he tried to win over support at the libertarian convention. here is nbc's julie tsirkin. >> reporter: a long holiday weekend of campaigning for former president donald trump. and he's hitting the gas pedal, courting voters and speed racers at the coca-cola 600. >> are you going to win north carolina? >> i do believe so. >> reporter: a big nascar contest in a key battleground state, north carolina. a far less friendly reception than trump typically sees at his own rallies. the crowd at the libertarian national convention booing the former president. >> combine with us.

you have to combine with us. we cannot give crooked joe biden four more years. >> reporter: in 2016 trump was able to reach voters outside traditional party lines, but this year -- >> the libertarian party should nominate trump for president of the united states. maybe you don't want to win. maybe you don't want to win. >> reporter: libertarian voters seem hesitant to support the former president. >> i would rather eat my own foot out of a bear trap. >> reporter: independent candidate robert f. kennedy junior who spoke to the same audience on friday. >> no more propaganda. >> reporter: was briefly considered to be the party's 2024 nominee but was quickly voted out by the libertarian delegates. >> robert f. kennedy jr. 2.07%. >> reporter: it hasn't stopped rfk, trump or even president biden from trying to make inroads with third-party voters. biden skipped the libertarian convention, speaking to mill tar

cadets instead at west point's commencement, a white house tradition. >> nothing is guaranteed about our democracy in america. every generation has an obligation to defend it. >> the former president's supporters lining up since saturday outside of that new york city courtroom, closing arguments, by the way, don't begin until tuesday, but we do expect a verdict as soon as this week. back to you. >> julie, thank you. there are horrific pictures coming out of gaza this morning as an israeli air strike on rafah killed dozens according to the local health ministry. the barrage hit a tent for internally displaced gazans, setting off a raging fire. the massacre comes days after the international court of justice in the hague ordered israel to halt its current attack on the city for fear of massivelien death. for the latest let's go to claudio lavanga. what's the latest? >> reporter: good morning, frances. according to authorities in gaza now the death toll stands at 40,

which is down from the previously reported 50, which was based on a report that had inflated numbers and before it was incorrect. the death toll now it's 40. although the fear is that it will rise further. now, regardless of the actual death toll, the authorities in gaza say this was a massacre, saying that there are many people with amputations, with severe burns and death, once again, among the victims there are many children and many women. now, the idf, israeli defense forces, acknowledge the attack but said that they were targeting a compound full of hamas terrorists, but the palestinian authorities say that that target, in fact, was a refugee camp full of palestinians who were finding shelter after they were displaced from elsewhere from gaza. now hamas issued a statement saying that -- putting much of the blame to the u.s. and especially president biden, saying they both bear full responsibility because israel according to hamas would have not carried out such an attack

without their green light. on the contrary -- or as a matter of fact, frances, president biden as well as other world leaders, as well as you mentioned the international court of justice was warning -- or asking israel not to attack rafah because of that reason, because there are so many people finding shelter there, but it looks like that israel, once again, crossed a red line with those devastating attacks that we've seen. it must be said also on the same day hamas carried out the first rocket attack against israel for the first time in four months. it fired eight rockets towards tel aviv, only one of them landed but there were no injuries and nobody was killed. frances? >> thank you. 12 people were injured when a plane encountered severe turbulence in a long haul flight, the second high profile incident in less than a week. passengers on the qatar airways flight describe the terrifying scene. >> panic, the look of panic

everywhere. >> you just felt the plane dip for five seconds, next we saw the flight attendant go up in the air and straight down. >> so scary at the time. is this it or not? >> that matter is now subject to an internal investigation. on tuesday a similar incident on a singapore airlines flight injured dozens who were still hospitalized. one passenger died of a suspected heart attack. scientists say climate change and increasingly unpredictable weather mean this could keep happening more often now. to a shocking loss in the sports world, the family of pro golfer greyson murray revealing the 30-year-old took his own life. murray was a two-time pga tour winner. he abruptly withdrew from a tournament friday. in a statement murray's family writing, we have so many questions that have no answers, but one, was greyson loved? the answer is yes. if you or someone you know is struggling, there is help, you can reach the national suicide prevention lifeline by dialing

or texting 988 or visiting 988lifeline.org. a man is in custody in massachusetts this morning after allegedly stabbing four girls at a movie theater. police say the man entered an amc theater without paying and attacked the girls ages 9 to 17. they were taken to the hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries. the attack appears to be random and police arrested the suspect after a car chase to cape cod. they say he's also a suspect in a similar assault in another part of the state. let's check back in with nbc meteorologist michelle grossman who is tracking the extreme weather that may impact the holiday for so many of us. good morning, michelle. >> good morning, frances. stormy in many spots today, also steamy, feels like the middle of summer as we go throughout the afternoon into the triple digits in parts of the south. 18 million people i'm pakted by heat alerts, heat advisories that's in the orange, waco, alpine, also a heat warning, san antonio, laredo, down to brownsville, houston also

looking at that heat warning. we're going to see temperatures into the 90s, into the triple digits. could see 30 records possible today. dallas today 95, 7 degrees above what is typical for this time of year, an angelo 103, near triple digits in houston, 93 in new orleans. warm in jacksonville, 94, 94 also in tampa. throughout tomorrow -- today will be the peak of that hit but still really warm tomorrow in many spots, savannah 93, 90s in pensacola, baton rouge. dallas you will be near 90 degrees tomorrow with 89. we will be a little cooler throughout the rest of the week, cooler into the mid 80s. digits some spots. san angelo 103. all right. that's your monday forecast.

>> thank you, michelle. virginia's arlington national cemetery held its third flowers of remembrance day sunday. it takes place at the cemetery's most iconic memorial which serves as a final resting place for some of america's unidentified world war i service members. "early today" is back in a minute with a summer travel warning. viral videos showing checked baggage being thrown, dropped d destroyed. what to do if this happens to you. gives you signs. so if you're frustrated with occasional bloating... ♪♪ [stomach noises] gas... or abdominal discomfort... help stop the frustration and start taking align every day. align probiotic was specifically designed by gastroenterologists to help relieve your occasional digestive upsets. so you can enjoy life. when you feel the signs,

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looking. nbc's valerie castro has a closer look. >> reporter: a cringe-worthy sight for a college golf team, watching their golf bags carelessly tossed around on the tarmac by airline baggage handlers. >> these are not just any old golf clubs, right? >> right. these clubs are all fitted for each individual player. >> reporter: this all happening just days before the east tennessee state university men's team was set to play in the ncaa tournament. >> this is one of the biggest tournaments they will play in in their amateur careers. they were very kind of scared about whether any of those clubs could be broken. >> reporter: the team reporting no damage to the clubs. delta airlines reaching out with an apology asking for a mulligan on how their equipment was handled. it's just the latest example of travelers dealing with battered and broken baggage, like this scene of luggage falling off a conveyor belt, in this case bags sent down a slide only to slam into other luggage. one baggage handler seen throwing things on to the ground then apparently being

reprimanded. all scenes no traveler wants to see. >> what do you think happened to your bag? >> it looks like it was run over. >> tiffany hess had to gate check her carry on but got it back in a very different condition, the contents so jostled cosmetic powders and pallets were rushed, these invisible retainers a costly casualty. >> it was like $500 or $525, something like that. >> reporter: despite the headlines, over 485 million pieces of luggage were handled last year according to the department of transportation and travel experts say things are getting better, but no airline is perfect. >> what recourse do passengers have? >> travelers can get sort of compensation from the airline in the case of contents being broken or miss handled, as well as the outside -- the actual piece of luggage itself. >> reporter: experts say take photos of the outside as well as what you packed on the inside, or don't check a bag at all. >> i thought i had done

everything right. >> reporter: tiffany did get a check from the airline for around $970 to cover her losses and some emotional baggage. >> has this whole experience discouraged you from traveling? >> yes. absolutely. if no one else ever had to deal with this again i would be so pleased. >> reporter: valerie castro, nbc news. still to come, it was a good weekend to be a rangers fan. the blue shirts end up in their second straight overtime thriller with an ending that no one could veeen ha scoming. we have the full recap when we come back. here's charmin ultra strong. ahhh! my bottom's been saved! with its diamond weave texture, charmin ultra strong cleans better with fewer sheets and less effort. enjoy the go with charmin. you are bountiful. your skeleton can support two times your weight. it's in your nature to stand strong. supplement your bones with high-absorption magnesium. nature's bounty. it's in your nature.

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there goes doncic looking for the screen, off to irving in the corner, it's a three. terrific stroke. the mavericks are one game away from stampeding the timber wolves. another late three from pj washington ignited one last scoring surge from dallas to put the game out of reach.

luka doncic and kyrie irving also continued their playoff hot streaks. east dropping 33 points on minnesota. the whole fls face the nonenviable task of coming back from a three-game deficit. dallas has a chance to punch their ticket to the finals on their court on tuesday. no team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit. so we will see how this turns out. >> it's so exciting. now turning to hockey, the panthers and rangers got a change of scenery and a flurry of points on sunday. with each team scoring four goals during regulation, leading to the second consecutive ot of the conference finals after with standing an onslaught of shots from the panthers the rangers i'm probably delivered the final blow. >> off the face-off, they score! >> alex lindbergh deflected the rhine shot giving them a one

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with bounce pet, you can cuddle and brush that hair off. bounce, it's the sheet. here is what's making headlines this morning. the iconic hauls from "home alone" is on the market for the first time in 12 years. the more than 9,000 square foot home even features a basketball court and a movie theater where of course you can watch kevin mccallister keep the wet bandits at bae. it's selling for over $5.2 million. bruce springsteen and the e street band have postponed three shows due to vocal issues. it came a day after the boss postponed a show in marseille, france, for the same reason. apple is expected to unveil the i.t. plans. that begins on june 10th.

people familiar with the matter tell bloomberg that the new operating system is expected to be the most ambitious overhaul yet of i phone software. according to a new study a potentially inhabitable exoplanet has been discovered 40 light years away. it is the size of venus. it's still unknown if it has an atmosphere. "early today" will be right back. camilla tried the new scent of gain relax flings and it changed everything. (♪♪) (silence) (♪♪) (♪♪) hey dave, don't knock it till you smell it. try the new luxurious scent of gain relax flings. try new gain relax scent beads too... for twice the vibes . when your gut is out of balance, your body gives you signs.

so if you're frustrated with occasional bloating... ♪♪ [stomach noises] gas... or abdominal discomfort... help stop the frustration and start taking align every day. align probiotic was specifically designed by gastroenterologists to help relieve your occasional digestive upsets. so you can enjoy life. when you feel the signs, it's time to try align. on this memorial day our hallie jackson has the story about how the power of music can honor those who gave their lives and one soldier's performance of

a lifetime. >> reporter: the notes, somber and familiar. a musical ohmage heard so many times before but for sergeant first class aaron stroupe his performance in france next week will be extra special. >> being able to travel and honor the events that happened both leading up to and being on d-day, as a bugler it's the highest honor we can participate in. >> this was to be the longest day. >> reporter: d-day, june 6th, 1944. >> the allied invasion had begun. >> reporter: when allied troops stormed the beaches of normandy. some two and a half thousand americans were killed that day. now 80 years on the sergeant and the 80th reserve band will be

there standing in solidarity to honor the fallen. his call to service, a family affair. his father, stepdad and uncle all enlisting. >> i'm standing on a history of who i compare to as my heroes in a lot of instances. ♪ >> reporter: a bugler nearly all his life the stgt's love of music brought him to this life-changing moment. he and his band mate practicing before their journey making sure not one note is out of tune. >> you have this nagging kind of like feeling that you don't want to let anybody down. especially for something as monument ous as an 80th anniversary of d-day. >> reporter: their upcoming performances in france, more than a dozen planned, tributes to the brave souls who died that fateful day. ♪ >> those soldiers, they gave the ultimate sacrifice and if me playing 21 notes in the highest regard is the highest honor i

can do, then i'm going to do it as best as i can every single time. >> our thanks to sergeant stroupe and wish him safe travels to normandy. our thanks to hallie for the report. the world's tallest digital flag is lighting up the miami skyline. it features white stars and a blue backdrop. the 200 yard sigh column displays rippling red and white stripes. it stands 60 stories high in downtown miami as a salute to our living and fallen service members. and we at "early today" salute those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we have today and we honor their families as well. thanks for being with us

breaking news. devastation after another round of deadly tornadoes. at least 18 are dead