that's what's making news in amer making news in america this morning -- >> seriously, we got to get out of here. >> -- tropical storm gordon roars ashore overnight slamming into the gulf coast. >> conditions are now deteriorating rapidly here in pascagoula since we arrived an hour ago. >> a life-threatening storm surge. up to a foot of rain possible. our team in the storm zone with the conditions and the biggest concerns at this hour. president trump goes on the attack overnight responding to that bombshell book that claims he called attorney general jeff sessions a dumb southerner. plus, the secretary of defense fighting back after he's accused of comparing the president to a fifth grader. the safari surprise. the shocking video as a lion climbs into this car full of tourists. plus, the smallest apartment we have ever seen. a bathtub in the kitchen.

and the trip of a lifetime up for grabs for free if you can prove you're a hard worker. >> i got this. you just have to prove you're a hard worker? >> oh, well, i guess i'm out as we say good morning, everybody, on this wednesday. we are going to start with the braking news, and it is a big one, the tropical storm gordon slamming ashore on the gulf coast and already turning deadly. >> it made landfall near pascagoula, mississippi, and is now marching northwest where it could dump as much as a foot of rain. >> this video just in to us from dauphin island, alabama. you can hear and see those conditions are pretty bad out there. abc's maggie rulli begins our coverage from the storm zone. she's across the border in biloxi, mississippi. maggie. >> reporter: diane and kendis, it might seem quiet out right now, but this started off as a massive storm and authorities

here in biloxi were not taking any chances. we've been under a mandatory curfew overnight here in biloxi and they shut down casinos up and down the coast but for now it seems like the worst of this storm is over for us here in the gulf. overnight, a powerful tropical storm gordon slams into the gulf. packing sustained winds topping 70 miles per hour. heavy rains and potential for life-threatening storm surges. the space station capturing gordon as it gains strength before making landfall just west of the mississippi/alabama border near pascagoula. abc's ginger zee was there. >> this is when the wind and the rain start to prickle your skin. it's that hard. the gusts have really started intensifying and conditions are rapidly declining. >> reporter: the lopsided storm soaking everything east of center from biloxi, mississippi, to pensacola, florida. this man's windshield wipers no match for the blinding rain in theodore, alabama.

on nearby dauphin island -- >> winds gusting over 70. >> reporter: accuweather's reed timmer battles fierce storm surge and coastal flooding. in pensacola gordon turned deadly. authorities say a child was killed after a tree fell on his home during the storm. states of emergency remain in effect across louisiana, mississippi and parts of alabama. as tens of thousands of people are waking up this morning without electricity and the rain still pouring. >> we got all the supplies we need. we got batteries, flashlights, all that stuff. >> reporter: this storm is fast moving, and as quickly as it hit us here overnight, it's already started to move out of the area, and now the major concern is that as gordon moves north, it's expected to start slowing down and that could cause flash flooding further inland. diane and kendis. >> yeah, fast moving is a good thing in this case. we hope that part continues. maggie rulli, thank you.

we'll have more from accuweather in just a few minutes. we turn to politics and a major upset in the massachusetts congressional primary. michael capuano, a ten-term incumbent, has lost to boston city counselor ayanna presley who promised change for the deep blue district once represented by john f. kennedy. cameras here capturing the moment presley found out she won. she is the latest black candidate to win a primary this year in a district where minorities are the majority. president trump was up late tweeting overnight responding to claims in the new bombshell book from veteran reporter bob woodward. the book describes a white house in chaos and a, quote, nervous breakdown within the administration along with a string of insults reportedly hurled at the president by his own staffers. this morning, president trump is firing back at bob woodward's explosive book "fear" that paints a picture of top aides ridiculing the president behind his back. in a series of new tweets, trump calls the book a con on the public and suggests woodward may

be a democratic operative. but during a recorded phone call before the book was released, the president told woodward this. >> you know i'm very open to you. i think you've always been fair. >> reporter: woodward says the president called him last month to ask why he wasn't interviewed for the book. >> i never got a call. i never got a message. who did you ask about speaking to me? >> well, about six people, you know. >> well, they don't tell me. >> a senator. i talked to kellyanne about it 2 1/2 months ago. >> reporter: the president then conceded he had actually been told about the request. >> who were the senators? no, they never called me about it. >> senator graham said he had talked to you about talking to me. now, is that not true? >> senator graham actually mentioned it quickly on one meeting. >> reporter: the book describes the president as an impulsive man whose advisers constantly struggle. woodward writes trump's legal team was so worried he would commit perjury by sitting down with special counsel robert mueller, they held a mock interview session.

in it the president reportedly lied and contradicted himself and ultimately got so frustrated he lashed out at his team saying this thing is a damn hoax. i don't really want to testify. the book describes the president's lawyers sitting down with mueller and describing the practice session. he just made something up. that's his nature, lawyer john dowd reportedly told the special counsel. i'm not going to sit there and let him look like an idiot. and before dowd quit, he apparently warned the president, don't testify. it's either that or an orange jumpsuit. dowd denies any of this happened. when it came to the crisis on the korean peninsula, woodward writes that defense secretary jim mattis told associates the president, quote, had the understanding of a fifth or sixth grader. in a new statement, secretary mattis denies saying those words adding while i generally enjoy reading fiction, this is a uniquely washington brand of literature. according to the book chief of staff john kelly once reportedly complained the president is an idiot saying it's pointless to try to convince him of anything.

he's gone off the rails. we're in crazytown. i don't even know why any of us are here. this is the worst job i've ever had. this morning kelly denies calling the president an idiot and says this is another pathetic attempt to smear people close to president trump. woodward says some aides including former economic adviser gary cohn even stole sensitive papers off the president's desk to keep the president from making a mistake. cohl reportedly said, got to protect the country. according to the book, president trump said this about the embattled attorney general jeff sessions. this guy is mentally redarded. he's this dumb southerner. he couldn't even be a one-person country lawyer down in alabama. overnight president trump fought back saying he never used those words on anyone including jeff and being a southerner is a great thing. woodward says he stands by his reporting. sources say the white house has reached out to many former aides encouraging them to issue statements pushing back on the claims made in the book. some of those aides have refused to do so.

jury selection begins today in the trial of chicago police officer jason van dyke charged with shooting 17-year-old laquan mcdonald whose death sparked protests around the country in 2014. the dash cam video showed mcdonald walking away from police when he was shot 16 times. mcdonald's family has called for calm ahead of the trial and the mayor of that city, rahm emanuel, who has faced sharp criticism for his handling of the case has announced he will not seek re-election. time now for a look at your weather forecast on this wednesday. good morning. well, now that gordon is making landfall we're seeing steamy conditions and widespread scattered showers and thunderstorms that will bring about concern for an array of things. first of all, we're talking about the big threats going to be flooding along with damaging winds, a moderate threat for both. looking for a slight threat. with the storm sturgill simpson and tornadoes. the tornadoes will be a problem with some of the outer fringes

of this storm. but going into thursday looking for significant flooding from mobile, jackson all the way up to little rock. i'm accuweather meteorologist paul williams. well, coming up, amazon now worth $1 trillion. why it may not be so good for the company. but first the chaos at the confirmation hearing for supreme court nominee brett kavanaugh and what's expected today. plus, the shocking video, a lion climbs into this safari car full of tourists. plus, the shocking video,

it's a revolution in sleep. the new sleep number 360 smart bed is on sale now, from $899, during sleep number's 'biggest sale of the year'. it senses your movement, and automatically adjusts to keep you both comfortable. it even helps with this. so you wake up ready to put your pedal to the metal. it's the final days where all beds are on sale. the queen sleep number 360 c2 smart bed is now only $899. plus, 24-month financing on all beds. ends sunday. sleep number proven quality sleep you're in a group most likely to develop skin cancer, including melanoma. that's why your best shot is to check for a spot. follow through and check your skin. go to spotskincancer.org to find out how.

this is a travesty of justice and we will not hold back. cancel brett kavanaugh's hearing. >> that was just one of the many interruptions during the chaotic first day of supreme court nominee brett kavanaugh's

confirmation hearings. at least 70 protesters were arrested. >> kavanaugh sat through a dramatic display of partisan bickering for nearly eight hours with democrats demanding a delay and republicans praising his qualifications. >> kavanaugh will be back in the hot seat today, and this time he'll have to answer questions. abc's emily rau has more from d.c. good morning. >> reporter: good morning, kendis and diane. it was certainly a rowdy first day on capitol hill and more fireworks expected today. plus, we'll hear the president's pick for the supreme court actually answering questions from senators on that committee for the first time. the senate judiciary committee has yet to ask judge brett kavanaugh a question, but day one of his supreme court confirmation hearings set the stage for a contentious week ahead. >> a nomination of -- >> mr. chairman -- >> -- brett kavanaugh. >> mr. chairman, we believe this hearing should be postponed. >> reporter: democrats trying to end proceedings before they even began and protesters shouting interruptions for hours. >> this is a travesty of justice.

>> reporter: by the day's end capitol police arresting 70 people. at one point kavanaugh's young daughters removed from the room. >> these people are so out of line, they shouldn't even be allowed in the doggone room. >> reporter: democrats signaling that starting today they plan to press kavanaugh on issues ranging from abortion, second amendment rights and presidential power. >> you're one wants on the supreme court. you are his personal choice. so are people nervous about this? are they concerned about it? of course, they are. >> reporter: the concern that kavanaugh who has written that sitting presidents shouldn't be investigated could protect the president if a challenge to the mueller probe lands at the high court. >> i do not decide cases based on personal or policy preferences. >> reporter: and after eight long hours of sparring, the nominee trying to calm those fears in his own opening remarks as his potential nomination cements a conservative majority on the court for generations to come. >> a judge must be independent, not swayed by public pressure.

>> so, today that first round of questioning will begin, each of the 21 senators on the committee will get 30 minutes to grill ths diane and kendis. >> it's going to be a very long day there on capitol hill for many folks. all right. emily rau, thank you. amazon ha company to reach $1 trillion in value. only apple has done so before. but analysts warn that this could bring the company more scrutiny from lawmakers. they're worried that amazon is getting too powerful as it expands into more industries including health care. visitors to a safari park in crimea are sure to remember this experience. watch as one of the lions climbs right into their car. now, keep in mind just recently a different lion at this park mauled a woman dagging her by her arm. in this case, the lion only licked one of the passengers, apparently just wanted a friendly cuddle. >> no thank you. coming up, a new concern

about salmonella outbreak traced to breakfast cereal. also ahead, the disappearing funds in a gofundme campaign. hear the strange twist in this feel good story about $400,000 raised for a homeless good samaritan. and the dramatic crane collapse slicing through a house. now we're learning how it happened. crane collapse slicing through a house and learning how it happened. s turn in your science papers. >> tech vo: this teacher always puts her students first. >> student: i did mine on volcanoes. >> teacher: you did?! oh, i can't wait to read it. >> tech vo: so when she had auto glass damage... she chose safelite. with safelite, she could see exactly when we'd be there. >> teacher: you must be pascal. >> tech: yes ma'am. >> tech vo: saving her time... [honk, honk] >> kids: bye! >> tech vo: ...so she can save the science project. >> kids: whoa! >> kids vo: ♪ safelite repair, safelite replace ♪ you wouldn't accept an incomplete job from any one else. why accept it from your allergy pills? flonase sensimist relieves all your worst symptoms, including nasal congestion, which most pills don't.

and all from a gentle mist you can barely feel. flonase sensimist. you can barely feel. when your blanket's freshness fades before the binge-watching begins... that's when you know, it's half-washed. next time, add downy fabric conditioner for freshness that lasts through next week's finale. downy and it's done. essential for the cactus, but maybe not for people with rheumatoid arthritis. because there are options. like an "unjection™". xeljanz xr. a once-daily pill for adults with moderate to severe ra for whom methotrexate did not work well enough. xeljanz xr can reduce pain, swelling and further joint damage, even without methotrexate. xeljanz xr can lower your ability to fight infections, including tuberculosis. serious, sometimes fatal infections, lymphoma and other cancers have happened. don't start xeljanz xr if you have an infection. tears in the stomach or intestines, low blood cell counts and higher liver tests and cholesterol levels have happened. your doctor should perform blood tests before you start

and while taking xeljanz xr, and monitor certain liver tests. tell you doctor if you were in a region where fungal infections are common and if you have had tb, hepatitis b or c, or are prone to infections. needles. fine for some things. but for you, one pill a day may provide symptom relief. ask your doctor about xeljanz xr. an "unjection™". we got one running. we got one running. >> so, this was an unusual police chase in cape coral, florida. a man pulled over for speeding took off, jumping into the canal, trying to escape. the only problem, well, all that disgusting algae in the water was so bad, he swam back to shore right into the hands of police who hosed him off first. gave him some water and then arrested him. >> he even swallowed some of it. also in florida, we have new details about this crane accident in orlando. officials say the crane was loading new shingles onto the roof, but it wasn't secured properly.

as you can see, it sliced right through that house. luckily nobody was home at the time. a structural engineer will now have to evaluate the house today and determine the extent of damage. the lawyer for a homeless veteran in philadelphia says $400,000 raised for his client is now gone. kate mcclure and her boyfriend set up a gofundme page for johnny bobbitt, a complete stranger who spent his last 20 bucks on her when she ran out of gas. the couple said they held off giving bobbitt most of the money because he had a drug problem but now he's suing them and they have yet to account for the missing money. >> i have to ask them for everything. it was kind of -- in the beginning it was a joke like they were like my parents. but the joke stops being funny after a while. i was under the impression that money remaining was tied up. >> well, the couple insists they did not spend any of the money on themselves, but their social

media accounts show trips to las vegas and new york, helicopter rides, shopping sprees over the last few months. it's unclear how they paid for all of that. a major change is coming to thousands of fraternity houses across the country. they'll no longer be allowed to serve hard alcohol. a group representing u.s. and canadian fraternities approved the new restrictions after a string of alcohol-related hazing deaths. the fraternities affected have until next september to comply. the cdc says another 30 people have gotten sick from eating kellogg's honey smacks cereal. the salmonella outbreak traced to the cereal has now spread to 36 states. dozens of people got sick enough to be hospitalized. the cdc says nobody should be buying or selling honey smacks. well, if you're a tennis fan, you were probably up late last night for that marathon match at the u.s. open. it took nearly five hours but rafael nadal finally won around 2:00 a.m. meanwhile, despite a slow match,

serena williams won her quarterfinal match. up next in "the pulse," how you can win a free trip to tahiti if you're a hard worker. >> there's always a catch. but first, the outpouring of support for geoffrey owens, the former "cosby show" star working at trader joe's. how his life has now changed after his interview on "good morning america." little things can be a big deal. that's why there's otezla. otezla is not a cream. it's a pill that treats moderate to severe plaque psoriasis differently. with otezla, 75% clearer skin is achievable. don't use if you're allergic to otezla . it may cause severe diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. otezla is associated with... ...an increased risk of depression. tell your doctor if you have  a history of depression or suicidal thoughts,... ...or if these feelings develop. some people taking otezla reported weight loss. your doctor should monitor your weight and may stop treatment. upper respiratory tract infection and headache may occur. tell your doctor about your medicines and if you're pregnant or planning to be. otezla. show more of you.

...from far away. but they harryonly see his wrinkles. if only harry used some... ...bounce, to dry. he would be a less wrinkly, winning guy.

♪ time for "the pulse," and we're going to start with a new gig for the former "cosby show" actor geoffrey owens. >> he played alvin on the show and was recently photographed bagging groceries at trader joe's in what he calls an attempt to job shame him, but now after appearing on "good morning america," he's been offered a new job from tyler perry who tweeted that he respects people who hustle between gigs. during that "gma" interview owens proudly wore his trader joe's name tag.

>> i hope what doesn't pass is this idea that people are now thinking this rethinking about what it means to work. you know, the honor of the working person and the dignity of work. so no one has to feel sorry for me. i'm doing fine. >> geoffrey owens, ladies and gentlemen. >> so, owens has also taught acting at yale university. he says that he took the job at trader joe's because he wanted some flexibility to go on auditions. makes sense. >> not too bad. and how would you like a free trip to tahiti? well, united airlines is offering one, but there's a catch. >> yep, you have to be a hard worker. the airline is running a contest called time off in tahiti for the hardest worker in america. >> to nominate someone you have to write a 300-word essay on why that person deserves the trip and needs the time off. the deal includes a seven-night hotel stay and $2,000 in spending money. >> not bad. you may have heard about the tiny house craze. but this is a new extreme. a guy in st. louis rented this

apartment with a toilet, bathtub, oven, sink all in one room. >> ooh, it's a 200-square-foot studio. the rent is $525 a month but get this, despite the bathroom and kitchen being in one room, there is also a walk-in closet. >> yeah, that's the bedroom. >> priorities. finally, one of the most helpful abbreviations is now officially in the dictionary. >> webster's dictionary has added the term, tldr. it means too long, didn't read. >> another favorite, hangry like me right now. tennis partner's... chatty coworker's... youngest daughter's... entire judo class. one shot can make a world of difference. walgreens has specially trained pharmacists, that know which flu shot is right for you. protecting the world... over 60 million flu shots and counting. starts with protecting yours. walgreens trusted since 1901.

with uncontrolled moderor atopic dermatitis, you never know how your skin will look. and it can feel like no matter what you do, you're itching all the time. but even though you see and feel your eczema on the surface of your skin, an overly sensitive immune system deep within your skin might actually be causing your eczema. so help heal your skin from within. with dupixent. dupixent is not a steroid, and it continuously treats your eczema even when you can't see it. at 16 weeks, more than 1 in 3 patients saw clear or almost clear skin, and patients saw a significant reduction in itch. do not use if you are allergic to dupixent. serious allergic reactions can occur. tell your doctor if you have new or worsening eye problems, including eye pain or changes in vision. if you have asthma, and are taking asthma medicines do not change or stop your asthma medicine without talking to your doctor. help heal your skin from within. ask your eczema specialist about dupixent.

(woman) we'd been counting down it was our tresiba® reason. he needs insulin to control his high blood sugar and, at his age, he's at greater risk for lows. tresiba® releases slow and steady and works all day and night like the body's insulin. (vo) tresiba® is a long-acting insulin used to control high blood sugar in adults with diabetes. don't use tresiba® to treat diabetic ketoacidosis, during episodes of low blood sugar, or if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. don't share needles or insulin pens. don't reuse needles. the most common side effect is low blood sugar, which may cause dizziness, sweating, confusion, and headache. check your blood sugar. low blood sugar can be serious and may be life-threatening. injection site reactions may occur. tell your prescriber about all medicines you take and all your medical conditions. taking tzds with insulins like tresiba® may cause serious side effects like heart failure. your insulin dose shouldn't be changed without asking your prescriber. get medical help right away if you have trouble breathing, fast heartbeat, extreme drowsiness, swelling of your face, tongue or throat, dizziness or confusion. (woman) we found our tresiba® reason. find yours. (vo) ask your health care provider about tresiba®.

good morning bay area. >> this is "abc 7 mornings." >> hi, good morning. it's wednesday, september 5th. thanks for joining us. >> that's right. we, i swear, did not talk about our outfit this morning and are wearing the same thing. >> no. >> going to the prom. >> it's freaky. >> i'm not buying it. i think you called each other. >> we have before. i have said, i'm wearing some really strange color, make sure we at least coordinate or doesn't look crazy. today was pure coincidence. >> all right. >> mike, you match too. >> close. >> that's me. always close but never right there. so, yeah, with that in mind let's talk about what's going on weather wise. hi, you are never more than seven minutes away -- >> i needed that laugh this morning. >> good. glad that could help. 50 in cloverdale to 61 in hayward and mountain view. let's take a look at what's going to happen with our high temperatures. close to average with low to mid 60s along the coast, low to mid

70s around the bay and 80s inland, but warmer 80s in the east bay. mid to upper there. your accuweather 12-hour planner and the latest on gordon next. of course if yesterday was any indication pay attention to alexis, it's going to get busy. >> it will. not too busy yet, though. looking live at our san rafael camera. southbound 101 nice light volumes. an issue in napa. i will talk about that coming up shortly. but we are checking some drive times. already one in the yellow, westbound 580, tracy to dublin, 36 minutes for you. westbound 4, antioch to concord in the green at 13 and southbound 101 san rafael to san francisco wide open at 16 minutes. >> thanks. ⌞>> a teenager and her mother are recovering in the hospital this morning after the plane they were in crashed in palo alto. >> the pilot of that plane died. he was bringing the teen to receive treatment as part of a charity flight. abc 7 news reporter matt keller live at stanford trauma

snaths. >> -- matt? >> the mother and daughter are stable, they were able to survive but the pilot did not. he was on a mission for angel flight west,erries sick ds and r treatment. the mother and daughter identified as 49-year-old nancy delamaria and 16-year-old clo which king, both from redding, rescued on the way to stanford's children's hospital. the plane out of exploratoripla. he has yet to be identified. the ntsb is investigating the crash. >> the airplane reportedly bounced during the landing. the pilot then opted to go around, which is to add power, clean up the landing gear and the flaps, and come around for another circuit. >> reporter: angel flight west posted a statement to facebook which read in part, the directors, staff, volunteer pilots, and mission coordinators

of angel flight west are deeply saddened that this accident occurred and their thoughts and prayers are with those on board the aircraft and their loved ones. live in palo alto, matt keller, abc 7 news. >> thank you. a man who survived a plane crash that killed his husband and the pilot is expected to head home from the hospital today. this is video. it happened near truckee in july. the plane on its way to pyramid lake when it experienced a pilot with the engine. the pilot and one passenger died. the only survivor eric raptosh. he was injured. after spending the last few months in rehab he is expected to go home today. loved ones started a gofundme as he continues to recover. if you're just joining us, a quick update on your weather and traffic and start with mike. >> hey, jessica, hi, everybody. a look from our exploratorium camera and see what the marine layer is doing. it's pretty fuzzy out there. can't see the top of the