Across america meeting obama voters who went for trump in 2016 who will they go for this time and a way to party and socially distant at their space bubble concerts. Early today starts right now. Good morning. Im phillip mena. Good to be with you im Frances Rivera we begin with a historymaking storm that sweeps across the southeast. Zeta slams into the louisiana coast. Its the strongest theyve seen this year. Its the first time a state has been hit with five named storms in a single season new orleans was in the eye this time around. The mayor sayings one person died after being electrocuted by a downed wire. Zeta brought this dangerous storm surge to mississippi the storm surge threatened alabama and georgia as it pushes to the east. Nearly a million Power Outages have been reported in its path so far meanwhile in oklahoma and north texas, more than 100,000 homes and businesses are without electricity after an early ice storm. Officials say the Power Outages will not stop voters nbc meteorologist janessa webb joining us this morning with more on zetas path and thats storm. Janessa, good morning. Good morning, you two good morning, everyone we have Tropical Storm zeta right now, and it continues to speed across the southeast this is the fastest moving system weve seen so far this year, and right now were going to be watching the Severe Weather threat and the flash flooding thats going to be impacting atlanta all the way into the midatlantic. Look at the winds. They continue to roar up to 70 Miles Per Hour, but look at that Forward Motion out of the northeast at 31 Miles Per Hour if youre across the east coast, it is time to prepare. Please make sure you have your cellphone charged because we are expecting more Power Outages throughout the day for your thursday morning, this does turn into an area of low pressure, so it dies down a bit. But until it makes its way offshore by friday, were really not going to see any relief from this tropical system by tonight at 8 00 p. M. , still seeing sustained winds at 80 Miles Per Hour tropical threat still in place, but this interacts with the ice storm in the Southern Plains ill discuss that coming up. Janessa, thank you so much. The election is just five days away, and voter enthusiasm is at a fever pitch. Americans have cast a staggering 72 million votes, and theres still five days to go until the actual election. Just a snapshot of what some states are experiencing. In texas, more than 86 of the tot total, 2016 turnout has already cast their blot. Today both candidates will try to get the upper hand in a critical battingground state of florida. Our capitol hill correspondent tracie potts joins us with more. Tracie, the Sunshine State could make or break. Hey, frances, its been 20 years. It always seems to come down to florida. Here we are with both candidates with duo rallies in the Sunshine State. Both think florida is the key to winning this joe biden has a slight lead in florida, but its pretty much neck and neck there and also in north carolina, and coronavirus continues to dominate this campaign with biden focusing on the virus and how the administration is handling it and President Trump focusing on a vaccine. A safe vaccine is coming very quickly. You can have it momentarily that eradicates the virus, and were rounding the turn regardless you know that. Weve got the vaccine. I turn on the television. Weve got great numbers. Mortality is way down compared to europe and other places. The infection rate is going up in every state in our union for the Trump Administration to refuse to realize the reality were living there with thousands of americans dying every single day is an insult to every Single Person suffering from covid19 and every family whos lost a loved one. Hes actually right about the numbers. Yesterday the u. S. Saw more than 80,000 new cases its the first time we broke that threshold, and the third time we set a record in a week frances . Well continue do so, im sure, in the next five days. Trac tracie, thank you. Markets are coming off the worst selloff since june the dow plummeted 943 points yesterday. The s p was down 3. 5 . The nasdaq faired even worse ominously today marks 92 years since black tuesday when the stockmarket crashed, the great depressi depression the dow down 6. 5 since friday the s p and nasdaq also suffering losses. The latest numbers show 8. 9 million americans are infected mortalities surpassing 880,000. If it continues on, theres going to be a whole lot of pain in this country with regard to hospitalizations and deaths. Dr. Faucis warning on cnbc with shepherd smith came hours before the u. S. Set a recordhigh of daily cases on wednesday with more than 80,000 cases reported meanwhile overseas a second wave is growing in europe as france and germany announce a partial lockdown france now has 1. 2 million cases with germany inching toward the half a million mark. Joining us now is matt bradley matt, good morning. Reporter good morning, guys. This is the epicenter of the outbreak in europe france has become the worst afflicted country. We heard from macron who said icu beds in paris are about to reach almost twothirds capacity thats very troubling. Next door in germany were seeing theres also going to be a lockdown angela merkel, the chancellor of germany, announced starting on monday theres going to be Something Like a full lockdown of the same kind that were having here in france starting tomorrow starting tonight and its very similar to the lockdown that was imposed throughout europe in the spring. The numbers are sky high in both france and in germany. In germany, nearly 17,000 new cases, a record just yesterday, now, that doesnt sound like a lot compared to america, but, thats, again, a record for germany. Its not that high here in france where theyve seen regularly 32,000 new cases a day. Sometimes as high as 50,000 new cases a day. Now again in both places were seeing hospitals filling up quickly. In germany, they have the hospital beds and the technology what they dont have is the personnel and staff. Thats the problem thats why authorities here and in germany are willing to suffer some of that massive economic pain in order to try to arrest the spread of this deadly virus. Guys they know it all too well from the first time around matt, thanks. Nbc meteorologist janessa webb is back with us to give us the latest here this morning janessa. Good morning, everyone. We kind of have an unusual situation thats taking place across oklahoma into northern texas. The last few days, theyve been dealing with that significant ice storm and the Power Outages. They continue to really increase across this area you can see the banding thats happening right now, and it will continue to spread in the cold air across the area. The broader picture, though, that system combines with Tropical Storm zeta, and that will allow our firsty to the gr lower 50s with rain starting to make its way in. Flash flooding an issue across philadelphia its important we talk about that first snowfall. More of that coming up. Ready for it. All right, janessa, thanks. Country singer Billy Jo Shaver died at 81. He died in his nay active texas following a stroke he rose to fame in 1973 with his favorite album old five and dimers like me and he was part of the Country Music movement. Im going to live forever im going to cross that river im going to kiss tomorrow night Willie Nelson once called him the greatest country songwriter. He was inducted into the hall of fame in 2006 and into the nashvilles country hall of fame shaver was 81 years old. Still to come, our own lester holt sits down with vote inars crucial battlegroun state. And if you plan to attend the super bowl, you may be in luck the ones you couldnt be more ready for, and even the ones that take you by surprise. These are the moments youll remember, the ones that are impossible to forget. To new memories. Hilton and our family of hotels. To new memories. Honey honey . New nyquil severe honey is maximum strength cold and flu medicine with soothing honeylicious taste. Nyquil honey. The nighttime, sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy head, fever best sleep with a cold medicine. Visibly fades the dark spots away. New neutrogena® rapid tone repair 20 percent pure vitamin c. A serum so powerful dark spots dont stand a chance. See what i mean . Neutrogena® thplus, take an extra 20 off r 50 off or more save big with 50 off fleece for her. Kids jumping beans. And fall home musthaves plus, get kohls cash. Plus, Free Store Pick up. Let the gifting start. Shop kohls and kohls. Com. Anyone making less than 400,000 a year wont pay a penny more, and im going to ask the very big corporations to pay their fair share. Were going to invest in creating millions of goodpaying jobs. Were going to ease the burden of the major cost in your life health care. Were going to protect Social Security and increase the benefits for millions of seniors. When i announced i was running, i said thats the reason, to rebuild the backbone of this country hardworking folks of the middle class. Im joe biden and i approve this message. Our bargain detergent couldnt keep up. With us. Hardworking folks of the middle class. Turns out its mostly water. So, we switched back to tide. One wash, stains are gone. Daughter slurping dont pay for water. Pay for clean. Its got to be tide. Now to our across america journey. It brings us to what Many Political experts believe is a crucial Battle Ground in this election everybody agrees on the importance of pennsylvania four years ago donald trump turned history on its head here thanks to Many Democrats crossing over. And as lester holt reports, once again voters are showing signs of independence. Reporter frances, my across america juneny has brought me to what many experts believe is a crucial battleground in the election four years ago donald trump turned history on its head here thanks to Many Democrats crossing over. And now in 2020 voters are once again showing signs of independence near scranton, we came to dave mitchkos home you dont have to guess who hes voting for, those signs some of the thousands hes been giving out here. 2016 there was hardly a sign here or there. This is a true democratic area, you know, and they were all in support of hillary, but times have changed ive given almost 26,000 signs out of my garage to people who wanted the signs to support trump. This area is overwhelming. Reporter dave is one of a Crucial Group of voters in pennsylvania, obama voters who then switched and voted for President Trump. In 2016 they helped the president turn this state red for the first time in nearly 30 years lchl they do it again . The left went so far left we figured we had to switch our party and were going to support this president even more. Reporter one of the things that makes it so fascinating is its essentially flipping the script you have them voting for trump but you also have lifelong republicans voting for joe biden who spent part of his childhood here like retired teacher patricia healy. Im basically voting against trump. I like joe biden as a person i just dont know i do worry a little bit about his age, but, yes, its mainly against trump. Reporter she told us she regrets her vote for the president in 2016. He actually has ruined so many things. Hes made a mockery of the oval office hes made a mockery of the democratic process. Reporter not too far away, we went over to mean mary grace, a registered nurse and a republican back in may she lost her 83yearold mom grace, a trump supporter, of covid. She followed the rules and followed her life around church. Reporter mary grace told us shes voting for biden. Do you think the president failed your mother not only my mother but the 220,000 lives that have been lost hes in way over his head. Reporter is covid a dominant issue here it doesnt seem so much i dont know anybody else in the area that lost someone to covid besides myself personally. Reporter and with tens of thousands dependent on fossil fuels, we asked about the biden comments on the oil industry in the last debate. Yes. Do you think that hurts or helps him here i think it depends on who you talk to here he did raise some eyebrows me personally, donald trump said he would bring coal back to our area theres no coal left. Reporter then theres former democrat merit doyle who tells us President Trump did exactly what he was hoping for when he switched parties to vote for him back in 2016 and he says hell do it this year too. I saw trump as someone who came in, who offered a breath of fresh air, something different. Reporter merritt is a personal trainer he said too many covid restrictions hurt his business like others and he says the economy will be why they vote for the president again. Record numbers as far as new jobs, unemployment you give this guy four more years, he could turn this around. Reporter polls show joe biden with a narrow lead here in pennsylvania, frances. Lester holt, thanks so much. Up next, could we see fans in the stands at this years super bowl d anone band finds a way to roll with distancing rules at a concert. This is early today. You make my heart sing wild thing i. Think i. You know what i think . I think you owe us 48. 50. Wild thing. If you ride, you get it. Geico motorcycle. Fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent or more. From americas number one serum brand. Five times more retinol than the no1 retinol serum. Yet formulated to be gentle on your skin. New no7 advanced retinol night concentrate. Yet formulated to be gentle on your skin. Want to eliminate odors without heavy, overwhelming scents . We get it. Introducing febreze light. It eliminates odors. With no heavy perfumes. In light scents youll love. New febreze light. Are my smile cant compete. On for this . Anyone . Mmm. Nope for a smile thats always camera ready. Crest 3d white removes 95 of stains in just 3 days. In todays quick hits, the nfl is looking to allow a limited amount of fans into this seasons super bowl. The league is planning a 20 capacity crowd for the big game. Thats about 13,000 fans in tampa stadium. Whitney houston continues to make history her 1987 album whitney reached diamond status, exceeding 10 million records sold the feat makes houston the first black artist to have three diamondcertified albums. And the 2021 Boston Marathon is expected to be postponed already. After three days of rain in texas, the drivers at nascar finally got to start their engines, and it was kyle busch who pushed the limits of his car to walk away with that checkered flag his car ran out of gas during that celebration its the 16th Straight Year busch has had a cup series win. And on sunday, josh bilicki will Honor Fallen Police officers with his car and a special paint scheme. Now to a song that is bursting with energy not your ordinary music individual for thousands of youth as the fans rocked out in those individual bubbles. Up next, janessa is tracking an early winter warning storm system. And attacking the polls. Why the guard could be out in full force on election day over time, you go noseblind to the odors in your home. background music but others smell this. upbeat music thats why febreze plug has two alternating scents and eliminate odors for 1200 hours. Breathe happy febreze. La la la la la. Secret stops sweat 3x more Yo Yo Yo Yo Yo Yo start your day with secret. Than ordinary antiperspirants. With secret youre unstoppable. No sweat. Try it and love it or get your money back. Secret. All strength, no sweat killer attitude. Nevor hydration. Neutrogena® hydro boost. The 1 hyaluronic acid moisturizer delivers 2x the hydration for supple, bouncy skin. Neutrogena®. Thplus, take an extra 20 off r 50 off or more save big with 50 off fleece for her. Kids jumping beans. And fall home musthaves plus, get kohls cash. Plus, Free Store Pick up. Let the gifting start. Shop kohls and kohls. Com. It only takes a second for an everyday item to become dangerous. Tide pods childguard pack helps keep your laundry pacs in a safe place and your child safer. To close, twist until it clicks. Tide pods childguard packaging. Whos ready for snow get ready by tomorrow. Northern new england into interior new york, youll see at least 3 to 5 inches. I know this map doesnt show it, but new york city, boston, im going to go ahead and call this. Were going to see some flakes tomorrow morning. You heard it here first janessa, thank you. Voters explain what keeps them motivated waiting in the long lines serum. Yet formulated to be gentle on your skin. New no7 advanced retinol night concentrate. These fudge brownie m ms are really fyes they are. To put a fudge brownie center in an m ms is. Genius i know. I was going to say hard why wont you. Ughhhh. 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The National Guard is gearing up for next weeks election they may be called on to assist with Cyber Defense and standing by in case of civil unrest at least 1,400 troops have been committed to assist with over 1,000 in texas alone so far the states include, arizona, texas, virginia, and more have activated the guard and their missions. It is worth the wait thats what inspiernd determined voters are saying no matter how long they have to stand in line to cast a ballot nbcs harry smith caught up with some of them. Reporter just look at the lines. In our divided america, theyre either inspiring or a little scary. What if there are more of them atlanta are of us, we wonder therell be a record turnout, they say its the most important election of our lifetimes they say. The line were in today on manhattans Upper West Side goes for several blocks it will be hours before we get inside to vote. If you want to have a voice, you need to do your duty and vote. Theres grit determination. How do you feel about the line its quite long but im encouraged that people are here to perform their civic duty. Its worth the wait. I have this crazy idea that if more participate, well have less rancor and divisiveness. Reporter the founders had an idea, revolutionary, that people could govern themselves. When we vote, thats exactly what we do harry smith, nbc news, new york. And leading up to election day, were hearing these astounding stories of the lengths people will go and the money theyll spend to make sure theyre in their area and can vote every day were hearing more and more. That might be one t one Silver Lining against all this divisiveness and nastiness thats getting people out there to vote. I hope one day the kids look back and say, it was that hard to vote . Or there was a time they didnt vote at all the civic duty that were seeing and people going way beyond to make sure it happens we can only hope. Thanks for keeping us with us on this prop 19 helps californias most vulnerable. It provides property tax fairness for disabled homeowners like cynde, stuck living with a broken elevator. Nineteen helps wildfire victims, like ellie, one of 24,000 whove lost their homes to fire. And seniors like pam who need to move closer to family or medical care, without a tax penalty. Prop 19 limits taxes on our most vulnerable. Yes on 19. Right now at 4 30, more bay area schools gear up for inperson learning. Up next, a major School District getting the green light to reopen but when will students and teachers really return . Plus, decision 2020 voters with record numbers continue to cast their ballots early, but does it mean well know who wins on Election Night . And no wind warning, no heat wave. Breathe a sigh of relief, bay area. A nice day ahead for us. Your forecast in just moments. Today in the bay starts right now. And it is thursday