William and harry pay tribute to their mother, 20 years after her death. Early today starts right now. Good to be with you, im frances rivera. Another threat emerges, a major Chemical Plant near houston has exploded according to the plants owner, arkema, local officials reported two explosions and smoke coming from the site hours ago. Nbcs julia bagg is in houston near the Chemical Plant. Whats the latest from there . This morning we know about the two explosions and i saw the plume of smoke myself coming up from the plant earlier this morning. Now firefighters have pushed us back to where we are, where its apparently safe, theyve blocked off this road between houston going northeast to beaumont. What happened here at the plant is that Hurricane Harvey dumped so much water it flooded the generators, they lost power, that means the refrigeration system failed. And then the chemicals that they use here got too hot and thats what put this place at risk for explosions and potentially a fire as well. People who live in this area, within a mile and a half, theyve been evacuated for days. We also know that ten deputies a short while ago had to go to the hospital after breathing in some smo smoke. Right now, firefighters coming and going, keeping a close eye on the situation. Frances, back to you. Thank you. Now to my coanchor, phillip mena in houston. A dire situation there, crucial at the Chemical Plant. At the shelter, some positive news . Thats right. Frances, at its peak there were more than 30,000 evacuees in texas. Here, a third of them were housed yesterday. There were 10,000 evacuees here. And now this morning, they are down to 2500. So that number has drastically decreased. Some of them have gone to shelters. Others moved to temporary housing. According to officials, more than 2,000 have already been placed in transitional housing. But the threat is not over. There are still mandatory evacuations at this hour. Meaning there will be more rescues and likely more evacuees. Nbcs Gabe Gutierrez has the latest. Phillip, the rain here in houston has relented. But just look at all this water that is still gushing into this suburban neighborhood. It is simply astounding. In texas, the death toll grew sharply. Search crews discovering a submerged van believed to belong to the saldovar families, six relatives who had been missing for days, retirees and their great grandkids, the youngest, just six years old. Also near houston, to volunteer rescuers are dead and two others missing after Authorities Say they hit a power line and were electrocuted. The uncertainty of other families desperately searching for loved ones, some of their faces posted online. Do you expect the death toll to climb in. Yes. I worry about what were going to find when we start doing our secondary searches. And when the water starts finally moving along. So far, water rescues have topped 18,000 and more than 32,000 people are packing shelters. Evacuees streamed into one of houstons newly opened megashelters. Inside they got people all in the bleachers. They got mattresses on top of chairs. Another Evacuation Center in nearby port arthur overrun by water. Televangelist joel osteen defending himself, accused of failing to open his houston megachurchs doors soon enough to flood victims. I dont know that we would have opened any sooner there were safety issues. Houstons mayor imposing an overnight curfew amid scattered reports of looting and Armed Robbers posing as Police Officers. Although the rain has finally stopped in houston, the disaster has not. The water is still being released from two city reservoirs to ease pressure on the dam. Its just devastating. Up to 40,000 homes could be damaged, no telling when people can return. Just thinking of like what i could have done or what maybe i left the garage full of stuff. I keep thinking whats in there. The rescues arent over in a city so tired of water. Texas Governor Greg Abbott says that the National Guard in this state is maxed out. So another 10,000 members from around the country are being deployed. Phillip . Gabe, thank you. As we mentioned that number has drastically decreased from 10,000, to 2500. That does mean there are still more than 2500 evacuees here and they are still accepting any displaced residents that come here. This is essentially the hub for evacuees in houston. Here is where they have the medical assistance it needed. They have legal advice, they have to reapply for food stamps, a lot them lost in the flood. Theyre still accepting donations here. Much help is needed. They Going Forward because there are less here. But still 2,000 remain and its quite a bit of help still needed. Frances . Phillip mena, well check back in with you. We want to bring in nbc meteorologist bill karins who is tracking harvey. It seems to be weakening, but still rain out there in. Serious flash flood effect, up to tennessee because of the hillier terrain and the heavier rain expected today. Still spinning over louisiana, still rainfall there and a couple of flash flood warnings remain. The Flash Flood Watch for 10 Million People goes up through memphis, nashville and central portions of kentucky. Greatest risk is from central tennessee through memphis, where theyre expecting about three to five inches widespread, isolated totals could be seven to eight inch, in heldy terrain, all of the rainfall falls and heads down quickly to the small streams theyre worried about lifethreatening flash flooding is a possibility late they are evening. Were in a high risk of flash flooding in that area. And that will go through this evening and then into early portions of tomorrow morning. Thats the area of yellow there. Just outside of memphis from dyersber or 9 in sacramento as we go through friday and saturday. Also more details on the western heat wave. Because its been insane, recordbreaking stuff heading their way. What a summer theyve had. Endless. Weve got other stories to tell you about this morning. A federal judge is blocking texas from enforcing a tough new law in socalled sanctuary cities, the law would have allowed Police Officers to ask individuals their immigration status in cases like routine traffic stops. It was set to take effect or friday. The next law set to go into effect in texas on friday is a cut above the rest, the socalled open sword law that allows texans to carry blades longer than five inches. And. Spains famous tomato fight. It was tough getting out there on stage. I wanted to be clear. I wanted it to last. So i kept on fighting. I found something that worked. And keeps on working. Now . They see me. See me. 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She washed this like a month ago hows a guy supposed to move on . the long lasting scent of gain. Now available in matching scents across your entire laundry routine. Rapper logic performing his hit song at the mtv Video Music Awards sunday night. Thats the number for the National Suicide prevention lifeline which says its seen a 50 spike in calls since the performance. Pentagon say there are 11,000 troops in afghanistan far more than the 8400 troops previously reported. It comes as the pentagon prepares to deploy almost 4,000 more americans to the wartorn country. A minor car accident in florida escalated when a pickup truck slammed into the scene putting deputies into danger. Moments later a truck and another car collide in the intersection sending the truck into the first accident. Well the impact knocked one deputy and a woman to the ground. Both they and the deputy wearing the cameras were hospitalized for minor injuries and are expected to be okay. Leading the news, President Trump pledges more assistance for texas as it reels from harvey, pivots to one of the most important items on his agenda, tax reform, Big Questions remain whats the plan . What will it mean for you . Nbcs Helen Jackson has more. Before pushing politics, the president getting personal. Directly addressing victims of Hurricane Harvey. To those american who is have lost loved ones, all of america is grieving with you. That consolation coming as the president visits missouri to talk tax reform, part of a hard sell, but no hard numbers. Instead, an outline that leaves it to lawmakers to fill in details that will dictate the tax bills of millions of americans. Like who could see cuts, how much theyll be and how to pay for it all. So this is our once in a Generation Opportunity to deliver real tax reform for everyday hardworking americans. The president making his case by hitting the road. Specifically, route 66. Known as americas main street. Promising to help Small Businesses and the middle class. This is where americas main street will begin its big, beautiful comeback. His speech an early counter to criticism from democrats that the president s plan will benefit the wealthy more than anyone else. President trump promising bipartisanship, heads into september looking for a legislative win after an august that saw him courting controversy. From his comments about charlottesville. I think theres blame on both sides. And i have no doubt about it and you dont have any doubt about it, either. To his pardon of former sheriff joe arpaio. Sheriff joe is a patriot. Administrators on capitol hill say theyre confident that tax reform will be easier than health care. Before congress can get to that, it has to pass a budget as pressure from the president builds. I dont want to be disappointed by congress. Do you understand me . Congressional sources are telling nbc news now that Top Republican and democratic lawmakers will meet with President Trump here at the white house when everybody gets back to town next week, with plenty on their plate come september. Were talking not just taxes, but funding the government, raising the debt limit and providing relief for harvey victims, too. Frances . Helen, thank you so much. Back to harvey, as texans look toward recovery in the wake of the devastating floods, images of hope and heroism are starting to emerge. People are coming together, proving that even in the worst disasters, it can bring out the best in humanity. Nbcs joe fryer has examples. A week after the eclipse drew our eyes to the sky, texas is looking up again with photos of the emerging sun multiplying on social media. A welcome sight, accompanied by a joyful sound. Victoria white and friends lifted the spirits of evacuees with a performance that echoed through the lone star. They sing your glory, shaking up the earth and sky its a moment thats gone viral, like jj watts fundraising campaign, which has collected 5 million for relief efforts. The most difficult times seem to bring out the best in humanity. There are images of hope, heroism and healing in a bitterly torn nation. Politics can talk about race and creed and religion, but heres proof right here that none of that matters. Its a theme that permeates the shelter in league city where the good is measured in a gyms worth of donations and kindness thats surging beyond boundaries. I will tell you league city is probably one of those cities thats on that border between blue and red. Having heard or seen any of that since weve been here, guys. Its just everybody getting together and getting done what needs to be done. Perhaps harvey swept away some of the things that divide us. In those moments its the darkness thats eclipsed by the sun. Joe fryer, nbc news, league city, texas. Joe, thank you. 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And at our factory in boston, 1,200 workers are starting their day building on over a hundred years of heritage, craftsmanship and innovation. Today were bringing you americas number one shave at lower prices every day. Putting money back in the pockets of millions of americans. As one of those workers, im proud to bring you gillette quality for less, because nobody can beat the men and women of gillette. Gillette the best a man can get. National gas prices again on the move in the wake of harrys wrath, incredible impact in the regions were finding capacity. Cnbcs Landon Downey has details. Good morning, the nations largest fuel pipeline is shutting its main diesel, jet fuel and gasoline lines to the northeast. Because of outages due to Hurricane Harvey. And lack of supply from refiners. The news has sent gas prices on the futures market to a twoyear high. The Colonial Pipeline connects refiners on the gulf coast to the east coast. Transporting about three Million Barrels of fuel per day. Meanwhile, thousands of home owners affected by Hurricane Harvey could become delinquent on their mortgages in the coming months. Our report notes there are twice as many mortgaged properties in harveys disaster area than there were in hurricane katrinas. Half have loans backed by fannie mae or freddie mac. 45,000 borrowers could face foreclosure in the next four months. Fox sports is hoping to capitalize on americans short attention spans. It plans to debut sixsecond commercials during the nfl games this season. Alongside the more traditional 15second to 30second spots. It will air during the world series and in some cases the sixsecond shots will be shown in a split screen. The goal is to find natural lulls in the action, during a timeout or a replay review. Sixsecond spots. Landon, thank you. Just ahead, remembering the peoples frin seprincess, 20 ye after her shocking death. Solve problems. How . We eat. We eat almonds. 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Just like the palace approached this 20 years ago when Princess Diana died, this is a very personal intimate event and behind me at Kensington Palace we know the family is talking about this and commemorating diana together. But outside its very much a public event with people laying powers, wreaths and tributes. I met her a few times. She was like an angel. When she speaks she speaks from here and she makes you feel relaxed. And when you met her yourself you dont forget. Frances, like you mentioned, there are no real formal events, but the real event here is the two sons of Princess Diana, Prince William and harry, theyve been coming out in successive documentaries over the past year and opening up about their experience and the scars that were left not just by the death of their march, but by the searing Media Attention that followed. The two princes came out yesterday and observed some of these flowers that were placed. As you can see, a lot of the newspapers here, the alwaysboisterous British Press covered this, showing the two boys when they were children and then now. Frances . Similarities, matt, thank you. When we come back, new details on a massive outpouring of generosity for the victims of Hurricane Harvey. I love you, basement guest bathroom. Your privacy makes you my number 1 place to go number 2. I love you, but sometimes you stink. Febreze air effects doesnt just mask, it cleans away odors. Because the things you love the most can stink. And try febreze small spaces to clean away odors for up to 30 days. Breathe happy with febreze. Heare you one sneeze away from being voted out of the carpool . Try zyrtec® its starts working hard at hour one and works twice as hard when you take it again the next day. Stick with zyrtec® and muddle no more®. For 100 years, heritage and innovation have made gillette the 1 shave in america. Now get gillette quality at lower prices every day. Brought to you by 1200 workers in boston were proud of giving you our best. Gillette. The best a man can get. The heat in the west is going to be something pretty impressive. Not something you probably want to experience after the summer youve had. 35 Million People under a heat watch or heat warnings all the way from Southern California up now into areas of southern washington state. All because this big heat ridge is building. Kind of been the general pattern all summer long. Weve got a couple of breaks here. Thats it. Its amazing, after the winter weve had with just the opposite. It was snowing and rain all winter long. Late summer heat, portland, 99 on saturday, san jose, 104. Even l. A. Hits 100 on friday. So hot. Bill, thank you. Weve been tracking donations to the Hurricane Harvey relief effort. Jj watt from the Houston Texans started an Online Campaign thats taken over 9 million including a massive donation from the ellen show. What youre doing sin credible, we want to help, walmart is on track to donate over 20 million in cash and supplies to Hurricane Harvey relief. Walmart is donating 1 million to jjs relief effort right now. I promise you that i will make this money go a long way, i promise you that i will help these victims directly. I promise you it will hp rebuild houston. Miley cyrus announced her own donation of 500,000. The Dallas Cowboys are holding a live telethon during their live practice. With current and former players manning the phones. Jamie foxx is holding a telethon on september 12th. Car companies have donated more than 66. 5 million to relief efforts. In a place where you can see all of those efforts as well is in downtown houston at the main shelter where we find my coanchor, phillip mena. Phillip . Its been really heartening to see this tremendous outpouring, houston has been beaten and battered and pushed to its limits this week. But we have also seen tremendous outpouring of love and affection. And bravery. And this situation here, these cameras eventually will go away, but the problems will not. This is a problem that the city is going to be dealing with for not just weeks and months, but years to come. And it is heartening to see the tremendous outpouring. People waiting around the block, just to come and help. And that gives houston hope and surely it will give hope to the others in the east who are about to face similar peril. Frances . Im sure youve seen all of that knowing its coming from you. Youve lived there for a few years as well. Im frances rivera. Stay with your nbc station and nbc news, for the latest developments throughout the day. See you back again tomorrow. Who are these people . The Energy Conscious people among us say small actions can add up to something. Humongous. A little thing here. A little thing there. Starts to feel like a badge maybe millions can wear. Who are all these caretakers, advocates too . Turns out, its californians its me and its you. Dont stop now, its easy to add to the routine. Join Energy Upgrade california and do your thing. Alert. A live look at san jose this morning ju we are in a microclimate weather alert on this thursday morning, taking a live look outside overlooking downtown san jose, just one of the areas about to really feel the heat. Good morning to you, thanks for waking up weerlly with us. Im laura garciacannon zblnda im marcus washington. You know there are is one of those mornings that i woke up and embraesed the ride to work because it was much cooler than it was going to get today. We have natural airconditioning this morning, you can let the windows down and enjoy the temperatures while they are still in the 60s as you get ready to head out the door because weve been talking about this all week and today is the day where those excessive heat warnings kick in for all of these areas shaded in purple. Even the coast now has a heat