wicked weather pouring down on the east coast. flash flooding in pennsylvania kills at least five. what we know about those victims

as we look for some relief in the forecast traffic halted at the bridge connecting russia to occupied crimea some reports say explosions on the bridge left multiple people dead we have the latest officials call a 988 hotline a life-saver for mental health services a year after it was launched, calls are pouring in, but the system still faces some challenges marvelous moments, celebrations and fiesta. we are the eye-opening photos of the week you'll want to see. and you only turn 97 once, right? one woman revved up for her big day by buying something she knew she would love we're mowing into monday, july 17th, and "early today" starts right now. and a good monday morning. i'm jessica layton. >> glad you're with us i'm frances rivera we begin with the devastating toll from flash flooding in pennsylvania officials confirming that at least five people were killed after being swept away by the rushing water. one of the victims was a mother.

now first responders are still searching for her 9-month-old baby and his 2-year-old sister who were still missing a survivor described to our kathy park what it was like to be caught in the fast-moving water. >> floating down the side of the road, clinging to trees, clinging to violence vines. clinging to whatever we could, a log, saw cars floating, saw a jeep flipped over. it was like nothing i've ever seen. >> a state o of emergencncy was declclared in marijuana becausef the severe storms. the torrential downpours have been felt all across the northeast and continued throughout the night meanwhile, about a third of the country is still under an excessive heat warning cities in the south keep hitting new record highs as this heatwave continues to expand our marissa parra has the latest from phoenix >> reporter: in california, the heat compounded by flames, a fourth wildfire now threatening homes near los angeles and prompting evacuation warnings. >> if it gets any worse, starts

coming back this way, i got to figure out what to do. >> reporter: the seemingly endless heatwave getting even hotter las vegas pushing towards new record highs in miami, an excessive heat warning. a real feel of 105 just as thousands pack in for concert and welcome for soccer star lionel messi. phoenix hitting 118 degrees. on day 17 of temps at or over 110. >> these temps today are going to be absolutely outrageous. we do not want anybody having heatstroke. >> reporter: volunteer monique hebert is providing a lifeline to those in line >> water cool ties? >> i'm taking the dog up for ac and shoes. >> reporter: bringing supplies to the city's most vulnerable. >> it's all right, honey, we got you. >> reporter: and their pets. >> don't bite me trust me, i'm doing this for your own good. >> reporter: emergency crews there responding to calls with heat always on the mind. >> have you been drinking plenty of water >> it's one of the hottest summers that we've had in recent years. and so, yeah, definitely taken a

toll on the community for sure. >> our thanks to marissa for that report. and michelle grossman will have a look at how long the heatwave will last, coming up breaking news out of ukraine. there are reports of explosions at the kerch bridge that connects occupied ukrainian crimea to mainland russia. the governor of crimea says on telegram the traffic has been halted over a, quote, emergency without elaborating. a telegram channel affiliated with the wagner mercenary group says there have been two strikes on the bridge. for the latest, let's bring in ali arouzi good morning, ali. what more do we know >> good morning, frances that's right the russians say that the two people are dead in what they were initially calling an emergency on the kerch bridge. now russian investigators on their telegram channel say this is a result of a terrorist attack committed by the special forces in kyiv russia's press secretary for the foreign ministry also saying

that the uk and the u.s. were involved obviously, these are unconfirmed by russian authorities, but there are plenty of unconfirmed reports there was an explosion on the kerch bridge at early hours this morning now this bridge is a very important bridge, frances. it opened in 2018 giving rail and road connections from russia to crimea. in october, it was partially closed following a massive explosion. but the russians reopened it in february because it's so strategic to get food, fuel and weapons from russia into crimea. now the russian authorities are also saying that the structures of the bridge haven't been damaged, and it's only the surface of the bridge that's been damaged and they're working quickly to reopen it. >> in other ukraine news, we understand the landmark grain deal between ukraine and russia is set to expire what can you tell us about that? >> that's right, frances

today that deal that allows grain to leave ukrainian ports since it was broken by the u.n. last year is set to expire now this is very important, because ukraine and russia are amongst the world's top grain exporters. and that deal was reached last year because of the fear of a lack of grain in africa and the middle east and beyond so far russia has refused to resign that deal again so there are, again, major concerns about grain supplies around the world >> okay. ali, thank you a suspected serial killer who allegedly traveled new york's long island is behind bars police searched his home this weekend looking for more clues and it comes as we learn more about his possible double life, including a newly discovered interview with him just before his arrest kathy park is on long island >> reporter: investigators pulling more evidence from the long island home belonging to the prime suspect in the gilgo

beach murders. >> the team is going through the house with a fine toothed comb among other things, there are some storage units that we searched. >> reporter: neighbors say 59-year-old rex heuerman lived here for decade was his wife and two adult children did you ever see rex >> never i always thought it was one person in there. i thought it was strange that that house is just sitting there with somebody in there like that >> i'm pretty much the only guy that have spoke to the guy and said hello to him. >> reporter: friday heuerman pleaded not guilty to brutally murring three women, all sex workers in their 20s authorities say he is also suspected in the disappearance of a fourth victim all discovered in 2010 along long island's gilgo beach. >> his was i didn't do this. >> reporter: in total investigators found 11 bodies in the area, including shannon gilberts who made this 911 call the night of her disappearance. >> where are you, ma'am?

>> i don't know. >> reporter: this week heuerman, who is not charged in gilbert's case was seen walking calmly in manhattan, apparently unaware detectives were moments from placing him under aarrest. >> this is only the beginning. there are these other victims as well and it's our hope that we're able to get some progress on those cases. >> rex, hello! >> how are you doing >> good to see you. >> likewise. i hope you don't mind, i brought my assistant with me, norman. >> hello, norman i see it's raining out. >> reporter: we're also learning more about heuerman, a new york-based architect from this youtube interview he did last year. >> rex heuerman. i'm an architect i'm an architectural consultant, a troubleshooter, born and raised on long island. >> what is this job taught you about yourself >> i think it's taught me more about how to understand people >> interesting >> because dealing with the technical aspects. >> yeah. >> is something a person can

learn. but it's the people, how they're all so different and how you deal with the people. >> reporter: the neighbor no one really knew in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. >> he certainly did bifurcate his life, and there was a side that was public-facing and then there was a side that wasn't >> our thanks to kathy for sharing that story a 7.2 magnitude earthquake rocked southern alaska this weekend, triggering a brief tsunami advisory late saturday [ siren in kodiak, alaska, sirens warned of a possible tsunami that sent people driving to shelters late at night but the u.s. national weather service canceled the advisory about an hour after the first alert. there were an estimated eight aftershocks in the same area of the state. we're kicking off yet another week with more severe

weather and record heat. let's check in with nbc meteorologist michelle grossman, who is tracking it all for us. michelle, good morning. >> good morning to you both. we are stuck on repeat we're looking at the storm chances once again we're also looking at really dangerous heat continuing. we're into the fourth week in some spots of over 100-degree temperatures we're looking at 12 states affected today we're looking at 62 million americans from the west and into the south central states also portions of southern florida. we're going to feel like over 110 in some spots in southern florida. otherwise temperatures soaring into the triple-digits again no relief in sight records possible once again in ten states take a look at some of these numbers. phoenix today 116. we do have a record of 116 if we get higher than that, we'll break that amarillo 101 100 degrees in corpus christi. new orleans, we're looking at 95 degrees. that's going to continue tomorrow looking at 116 in phoenix. 39 in portions of colorado then we're looking at the southern portions of the state's gulf coast states 97

the record there is 97 and as we go throughout the rest of the week, we're looking at the temperatures continuing. phnioe you factor in the humidity, it's going to feel like over 100 degrees, even over 105 in one spot that's a look at the heat. we're going to take a look at the rest of the forecast for the week in just a few minutes. >> we'll see you in a bit. thank you, michelle. >> sure. as severe storms moved across the northeast, major airlines experienced significant flight delays. more than 1300 flights arriving and departing from the u.s. were canceled sunday evening. according to the federal aviation administration administration, john f. kennedy and boston logan were at heavy ground stops today over 400 flights are delayed and more than 200 canceled coming up after the break,

we look back at the first year of a life-changing mental health resource keep it here on "early today." ♪oh♪♪ ♪thenen you take e me by the ♪ ♪i i feel betteter again♪♪ ♪♪oh i feel l better nowow♪ ♪inspirining music♪ ♪ starart your dayay with n nature madede. ththe #1 pharmrmacist recocommd vitamimin and supppplement bra. bubug spray woworks best.... whwhen your fafamily acactually weaears it. ♪♪ get odor-f-free eieight hour p protectionn from mosququitoes and d tics without ththe ick. zevo o on-body repepellent. people lovove it. bugsgs hate it.. my freququent heartbtburn he takiking antacidid afafter antacicid all day y g but withth prilosec c otc just onene pill a daday

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because for the first time in our history said nationally we hear you and believe us when we say we want to be there. >> reporter: the administration says nearly 5% of adults 18 and older had serious thoughts of suicide in 2021, a figure that jumps to nearly 13% for adolescents. and officials say calls are answered in about 41 seconds now, down from more than 2:30 last year. the lifeline is a network of some 200 independently run call centers, like this one run in boston that we visited a year ago. do you really think 988 is going to make a difference >> yes, i really do. >> reporter: one year later they're answering more calls than ever. but there are challenges while the system tries to get every call answered locally, it's not always possible some calls roll over into a national backup system. >> we need more people to answer the phone. we will always need more people to answer the phone. >> reporter: another concern, a recent poll suggests only 13% of americans say they know about 988 and what it's for.

>> i've had a lot of callers that are first-time callers. and it's great that they're hearing about it, and it makes me wonder how many people are not hearing about it. >> we're working with faith communities and doing psas to get information out about 988. >> reporter: the goal now to go beyond that initial contact and put more callers in touch with local mental health resources. and to increase the ability to send mental health unit directly to someone's year. dr. tia dole who oversees the center nationally says the mission is to be available for anyone, any time. >> we want people to call before they're in crisis so we can connect them with services. >> reporter: and you want families to call >> absolutely. more and more families and loved ones are reaching out, asking, my young person is really struggling with suicidal thoughts what can i do? >> reporter: this month, 988 added special services for lgbtq+ youth and young adults. there is already a special service for veterans who can dial 988 and press option number

1. and to mark the first anniversary, 988 added spanish texts and chat options alma ramirez says she knows painfully well how tough it is for people dealing with suicidal thoughts but now she is a counselor and has this advice. >> the help is there take it. it's there for you >> our thanks to ron allen for that report. and remember, if you or a loved one is struggling with a crisis, you can call the hotline at 988. it is so simple. you will get a person on the line that can help you right after the break, we've got the best news images from the past week. the mo perstowful momentnts cacaptured in n photos, cocomin next try. h hope. fail.l. no onene should suffffer like ththat. i started d cosentyx®®. fifive years c clear. i started d cosentyx®®. real people with p psoriasis look andnd feel betttter with cosenentyx. dodon't use ifif you're alallc toto cosentyx.x. bebefore startrting get chched fofor tubercululosis. dodon't use ifif you're alallc toto cosentyx.x. an i increased r risk of ininfection, s some seriouos and a a lowered abability toto fight thehem may occuc.

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coming up, some of the most stunning images captured by the associated press starting in northern spain, where thousands gathered along the streets of pamplona,

celebrating the san fermin running of the bulls you can see running in the famous fire bowl belgian cyclist jasper phillipson he was the first competitor to cross the 11 stage finish line the tour continues on and will finish in front of the champ-elysees this sunday in paris. and fireworks lit up the sky as france celebrated bastille day with the massive parade there over the weekend the grand parade included 6500 people marching, 94 planes, 200 horses, and more than 100,000 people and police deployed around the country india was the guest of honor this year with prime minister narendra modi watching alongside french president emmanuel macron as france commemorated the day that marked the start of the french revolution.

and finally, take a look at this a small crowd gathering in kyiv, ukraine as a musician performed in the city square the moment of peace captured people coming together nearly a month after a russian air strike shook the city these powerful images giving us a remind other then monday morning of the importance of seeing the human impact that the biggest stories will have on people all over the world. and again, that whole picture, what is it the picture tells a thousand words. that's if i can say it >> just like this here too celebrations, especially for this guy >> amazing i have goose bumumps just loloo at that.t. >> michehelle has her r eye e oe eveventful mononday forecacast, the e break. amera shututter sfx] amera shututter sfx] intrododucing amera shututter sfx] ned'd's plaqaque psoriasasi. [camerera shutter r sfx] hehe thinks hihis flaky, [camerera shutter r sfx] rered patchess arare all peopople see. [camerera shutter r sfx] ototezla is ththe #1 prescribibed pill toto tret plplaque psoririasis. ototezla is ththe #1

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weather. in the ohio valley to the tennessee valley also portions of the central plains we're looking at really gusty winds with some of the storms heavy downpours. could see hail as well the good news is we're trying out in the northeast we're going to have a dry day today. throughout wednesday, soggy in the ohio valley, the portion of the carolinas, also the tennessee valley and really, it stays very, very hot in the southern plains into portions of the west as well back to you both. >> michelle, thanks. after the break, a 97-year-old goes full throttle, treating herselflf for her birthdhday rr 'til itit was superer full. nonow— i runun it daily.y. weekdadays— weeeekends— you mighght think that's w wasteful, b but it's . eveven half loloads use 808% lessss water thahan handwashs. saving $ $130 on utitilities. cascscade. dare e to dish differenently. wantnt more fromom your vitat? get more e with naturure's bou. saving $ $130 on utitilities. from the f first-ever r tripe action s sleep supplplement.. to d daily digesestive suppop. to m more wellneness solutios evevery day. get more e with naturure's bou.

looking for a bladder leak pad that keeps you dry? all of the things that you're looooking for i in a p, thatat is alwaysys discreet. lolook at how w it absorbss all ofof the liquiuid. and lolocking it right onon in! you u feel no wewetness. - oh my gogosh! - - totally ababsorbed! i got t to get somome alwaysys discreet!t! your bugug spray shohould tae out bubugs, not keepep out peoplple. ununlike otherer sprayss thatat stick aroround, zevovo goes fromom kill to cleanan in just s seconds, plus it's s safe for u use araround peoplple and petst. zevo. peopople-friendldly. bubug-deadly.. a woman in massachusetts decided to treat herself for her 97th birthday, buying herself something she always wanted.

more about marie erickson's brand-new tractor. >> reporter: while most people at an older age sometimes spend more time in the house, or start to slow things down a bit, they couldn't be further from the truth for marie erickson >> oh, i'm very independent. >> reporter: because at the age of 97, if you ask her what she does for fun, she'll tell you it's taking out her tractor. >> i'm on that tractor every day. whether the grass needs cutting or not i go around and check. and when i see it, i cut it. >> reporter: her home in swansea sits on big, beautiful land. 2 1/2 acres to be exact. >> that keeps me busy. i don't like to do housework. >> reporter: but even before her husband passed away, 2the 4'8"

firecracker. >> something else she couldn't forget after seeing it was the power steering top of the line mower made by john deere. >> i've always owned a john deere. i like the john deeres >> but getting on this throne of green took a little time for more than a year, marie began saving her money >> i kept counting it every month, every month i finally got to $5,000. oh, great! >> reporter: and for her 97th birthday, she decided to treat herself to the tractor >> i said i think i'm worth it all these years. i'm not going to take the money with me. i'm going save it? i'm going to spend it. >> reporter: in may she took a trip to a dealership in massachusetts. >> and i got the amount, and i bought the tractor for cash. >> of course, some salespeople were a little curious as to what a woman her age wanted to do with a john deere. so she explained that though she doesn't drive a car anymore, this was the next best thing. >> i still got all my marbles, and it's the money i save, i'm going to buy this tractor, and i

did. >> reporter: ever since, she has been taking out her tractor for a daily dose of relaxation and as she inches closer to age 100, marie says it's been quite the ride and that you're never too old to take out your toys >> oh, yeah, i felt great. >> our thanks to sharing that story. i love her i love her on the tractor. and we're cheering her on as she reaches 100. >> 100%. marie, you are definitely worth it to me, from me those are the best gifts. >> i feel bad during the new england winters. she is going to have to put that tractor on for a little break during that season thank you so much for waking up with "early today." >> i'm frances rivera. >> and i'm jessica layton. ve a great monday, andha w

in ukraine breaking overnight reports of explosions on a critical bridge to