Reaching new heights. We go hiking with a man who can teach us all something about overcoming the odds. Nightly news begins now. Announcer from nbc news World Headquarters in new york, this is nbc nightly news. Reporting tonight, erica hill. Good evening. For millions of americans, this sunday is far from a day of rest. 88 Million People across 24 states directly affected by this weekends massive storm. An impact that could linger for days. In the nations learning federal offices and schools will be closed tomorrow. The recordsetting system brought 24 snow and powerful winds to the region. Leaving behind a major cleanup effort. Along the jersey shore, some towns under several feet of water today. Residents anxiously monitoring the swollen streets. Across the country, travel is anything but we begin our coverage tonight with Miguel Almaguer in miguel . Erica, good evening. This is your typical washington, d. C. Street. It hasnt been plowed, only shovelled. Thats by the people who live here. Look at the cars. Three, four feet deep, socked inside this thick snow. It is a mess in the city and many others, but this is far from the biggest problem. [ sirens ]. Reporter tonight, the snowfall has stopped but the life and death scramble has just begun. Outside washington, d. C. , First Responders struggle to reach a sick child. Two feet of snow blocking access in and out of many communities. It takes a team to clear a path. When seconds matter, minutes. Even fire trucks need help from neighbors to pull away. Its been a busy couple days. Reporter with deep record snow slamming the east, firefighters who cant find buried hydrants are worried theyll lose homes and some 30 dead across the region, from new york to maryland and virginia. Roofs are caving in, unable to support all the snow. Alarm going off. It was scary. Reporter with many out of patience, tens of thousands are without power. 2200 members of the National Guard states. Help is on the way, find gas. Everybody is out of fuel. We drove, i think, 27 miles to find gas cans and fuel. Reporter some spots hammered down for a historic 36 hours. There was thunder snow across the east, and flooding along the coast. The headline summed it up. Slammed, buried, wolloped. Didnt tell it all. Records in baltimore and virginia. Chris cant get out of his neighborhood, or even see out of his window. Covered in snow. Reporter with roads a mess and sidewalks a disaster, now comes the rush to get Public Transportation back on track. Travel bans are lifted, but getting out of the house, much less to work, wont be easy. Ever seen it this bad . Its not been this bad. This is the worst weve ever seen. Reporter with government buildings closed and many schools cancelling classes tomorrow, today, many are hitting the slopes on capitol hill, or in their backyards. This monster storm has gone, but wont soon be forgotten. When the fun is over, the work will begin. We just learned in this government city that federal offices will be closed down, but those who arent going to work tomorrow likely wont avoid it. Digging out from situations like this will likely take hours. Erica . That, it will, miguel. Thank you. Beyond the snow, people are parts of the jersey shore found themselves dealing with significant flooding from a storm surge. State dodged a bullet, jacob rascon found a different story. Worse than expected much worse. Hundreds of homes in surrounded, cut off island. The only way around . A humvee. Were going to estimate some areas of the town, we had five to six feet of water in the street. Reporter where i am standing was a beach that extended another 100 feet, but in the storm, the tide rose, the seawall broke, putting the entire town underwater. Not even super storm sandy did this much damage here. Its unusual. Talking about debris, boats crossing your path. Its dangerous. Reporter dozens had to be rescued. Even carried out. Emergency management must have been back here eight times, taking people out. Reporter at least 100 homes like michaels flooded. The joys of the jersey shore. Its quite overwhelming, but its just theres nothing thats not replaceable. Reporter and West Wildwood wasnt the only shore town underwater. Sea isle city and ocean city were surrounded by several feet. Further north, the damage less severe. In belmar, preparation paid off. A drone capturing emergency dunes before and after. Elsewhere, tens of thousands lost power. Restoring, a priority tonight. Along the southern shore, the talk of cleanup is on hold for many, who still cant get into their homes. Flooding many here say they have ever seen. Water knee deep or higher, still of homes. Extent of the damage likely wont be clear for days. Erica . Jacob for us tonight, thank you. While roads in the region were being cleared today, getting airports back on track is proving a much with more than 11,000 flights cancelled since friday. Kristen dahlgren has been on airport duty all week here in new york. Reporter signs of life at laguardia. The lucky few able to get on one of the only flights out. Where are you going . Disney world. Reporter after herculean efforts by crews, some runways were reopened. But many passengers who showed up today were stuck. Just got cancelled. Reporter some have been here days, sleeping in the food court and worried what will happen if they dont get out soon. Im afraid ill lose my job. Reporter everyone has some place important to be. Peter carter is trying to get to his brothers funeral. If his flight leaves on time. Ill be getting there for the last hour of the funeral. At least i will have an spend with my brother. Its hard, definitely not easy. Was similar at many airports. Jfk, crewed had to move 30 inches of snow. This is philadelphia. We have a snowcovered and icecovered runway. Reporter in the d. C. Area, all flights were suspended again, despite round the clock efforts to move the massive amounts of snow. It is a massive task, to get the airports, to get the runways, the taxi ways, the roadways cleared, particularly after a storm of this magnitude. Reporter on the rails, it hasnt been easier. Crews spent the day shoveling the tracks. In new york and d. C. , full service wont be back until at least tomorrow. While on the roads, even the plows had trouble at times. Back here at the airport, people are still waiting tonight. We are getting word more than 900 flights nationwide have already been cancelled for tomorrow. While things are beginning to return to normal, erica, it could be days before everybody gets where they need to go. Tough reality today. Thank you. Meteorologist dylan dreyer has more on what the storm left expect in the days ahead. Dylan . Good evening, erica. This storm system is moving away rapidly, but not before breaking records. In glengary, west virginia, we hit 40 inches of snow. Three and a half feet. In new yorks jfk, we broke the record for the biggest storm, 30. 5 inches. Central park, we fell just shy of the alltime biggest snowstorm by 1 10 inch. Baltimore and maryland had 29. 2 inches. This storm will race away. Well see clear skies and a warming trend, helping to melt the snow. Also, the high tide times this evening are running closer to about 8 00, 9 00 tonight. Well see an offshore wind. Going forward, every high tide will become less of an issue for the costal flooding. With the offshore winds, it pushes the water back to sea. We should see improvements right up and down the east coast because of flooding. Temperatures are going freezing in new york city. By monday, 37 degrees. 42 on tuesday. 39 on wednesday. We certainly be see some melting. Just keep in mind, the melting during the day refreezes overnight. The conditions on the roads will still be a little dicey, especially each morning commute. Erica . Thank you. In politics, president ial candidates are making a final push in iowa, where the first votes of the 2016 election will be cast in that states caucuses one week from tomorrow. We get the latest tonight from White House Correspondent kristen welker. Reporter donald trump looking to lock it up in iowa, starting his day at church. Later, joking about the lessons he learned there. We talked about humility at church today. I dont know if that was aimed at me, perhaps. Now, the church, i dont think knew i was coming. Reporter a little levity in this high stakes race, where hes, again, surging. The latest iowa poll, trump leading ted cruz, 34 to 23 . Just two weeks ago. A possible bump for his sustained bashing of his closest opponent. One of the problems with ted cruz is everybody hates him. Reporter and after another controversial outburst this weekend. I could stand in avenue and shoot somebody, and i wouldnt lose any voters, okay . Its like incredible. Reporter today, trump brushing aside criticism. I mean, i have people so loyal, far greater loyalty than any other candidate, quadruple. I love my people. Reporter meanwhile, marco rubio, endorsed by the Des Moines Register this weekend, still in third place in iowa. The challenge for the establishment favorite, breaking through in a cycle favoring outsiders. Every time ive run for anything at this level, ive taken on the establishment. I had to do it when i ran for the senate. Even now, when i decided to run for president. Reporter the newspaper also supporting hillary clinton, locked in an unexpectedly tight race with Bernie Sanders. On meet the press, underscoring her experience. And people look and think, you know, can we imagine this person to be president and commander in chief . Because of my experience, i think thats something that people really take into account. Reporter and Bernie Sanders dismissing the newspaper endorsement, arguing its a sign hes the true outsider. The reason that our campaign is generating so much interest and enthusiasm is people think its time that we take on the establishment. Some candidates today saying theyd welcome former new york mayor Michael Bloomberg into the race. Hes reportedly eyeing a run as an independent if trump, cruz or sanders wins their partys nominations. Clinton quipped today, shes planning to win, so that wont be necessary. Erica . Kristen welker, thanks. In southern california, a man hunt is underway tonight for three inmates who escaped from a maximum security jail. They were last seen early friday before breaking out of the jail in santa ana. One is charged with murder. Cut through 1 2 inch steel bars, went through plumbing tunnels and went to an unguarded part of the roof, using a rope to lower themselves to freedom. Reporter weve been reporting from iran, looking at the impact of the nuclear deal that led to the lifting of the crippling sanctions against that country. We wanted to know, could the agreement signal a liberal shift by irans conservative religious leaders . Our chief Foreign CorrespondentRichard Engel posed the question in tehran and beyond. Reporter Many Americans wonder if the nuclear deal with iran could lead to a political transformation here. But this crowd gave its answer. Loud and clear. To understand the power this regime still holds over people in tehran, you have to come here to friday prayer, where every week, shops close, traffic comes to a standstill, and they come to this mosque in the thousands. To shout, death to america, and show revolution. To find out whether the religious leadership of the country was ready to relax its grip, we traveled to irans spiritual capital, where clerics are educated at seminaries and where islamic law is debated. We met a conservative over breakfast, but found he had no appetite for new politics. Translator we have our own culture. We are muslims, and our power comes from our religion. Our politics and our religion are one. Reporter some powerful clerics have repeatedly supported the reformists. Seven years ago, when demonstrations broke out against the results of elections seen by many as rigged, they were put down violently. Now, clerics who approve political candidates are taking no chances. Blacklisting nearly 3,000 candidates from next months parliamentary elections. Why were so many moderate and candidates barred from participating . Translator i ask you, in america, can anyone run for president . Would you allow them to . No country in the world allows that to happen. Reporter the economic openness that comes with the nuclear deal is one thing, but the clerical elite here are not about to let go of the power theyve held for nearly 37 years. Richard engel, nbc news, tehran. When nightly news continues on this sunday, well go to a country where cash is quickly actually, philly was t the first capital. Oh, honey. No wait, did you just have that on your phone . Its time to mix it up. Do it, dad yeah, do it there are thousands of ways into the complex health care system. It was frozen. Daddys hand looks funny. And choosing unitedhealthcare can help make it simpler by letting you know when your claim has been processed. Yo, adrian. Unitedhealthcare your path to retirement. May not always be clear. But at t. Rowe price, retirement savings. For over 75 years, investors have relied to find long term value. So wherever your takes you, we can help you reach your goals. Retirement specialist or your advisor. To see how we can help make the most of your retirement savings. T. Rowe price. Invest with confidence. When cigarette cravings hit, all i can think about is getting relief. Only nicorette mini has a patented fastdissolving formula. It starts to relieve sudden cravings fast. I never know when ill need relief. Thats why i only choose what if one piece of kale could protect you from diabetes . What if one situp could prevent Heart Disease . One. Wishful thinking, right . But there is one step you can take to help prevent another serious disease. Pneumococcal pneumonia. If you are 50 or older, one dose of the prevnar 13 vaccine can help protect you from pneumococcal pneumonia, an illness that can cause coughing, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and may even put you in the hospital. Even if you have already been vaccinated with another pneumonia vaccine, prevnar 13 may help provide additional protection. Prevnar 13 is used in adults 50 and older to help prevent infections from 13 strains of the bacteria that cause pneumococcal pneumonia. You should not receive prevnar 13 if you have had a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine or its ingredients. If you have a weakened immune system, you may have a lower response to the vaccine. Common side effects were pain, redness or swelling at the injection site, limited arm movement, fatigue, headache, muscle or joint pain, less appetite, chills, or rash. Get this one done. Ask your doctor or pharmacist were back with a sign of the times. Payments. Were seeing it to country. In sweden, theyre aiming for a completely cashless and theyre well on their way. Kelly cobiella went to the money. Reporter at the Philadelphia Church in stockholm, theyve traded the collection plate. Select the card, choose your donation. Nearly all giving is by plastic or app. We have seen a tremendous increase, especially among young people. Reporter across this country of 9 million, at coffee shops and lunch counters, everyone of every age is going cashless. Ive always used card. Wherever i go. Taxis, shops, everything. Reporter sweden less of it. Only about 20 of transactions are in cash. In the u. S. , its 40 . Atms are disappearing and most major banks wont accept cash deposits. With new technology, the cashless economy is open to almost anyone. No spare change for the magazine to help the homeless . No problem. Companies like shoe store swedish hasbeens say theyve lowered cost. No need for a register, safe or trips to the bank. There you go. Reporter even the man who wrote abbas money, money, money is a fan. The abba museum is cash free. No bills means less risk of theft. Theres no doubting the convenience of paying for just about everything with these, but what does that mean for cold hard cash . Are the days of printing money coming the former police chief hopes not. Take away cash and were at the mercy of banks and bank fees. We moved from the bank of sweden to commercial banks, and they want our money. Reporter plus, cash thefts are down, but fraud is way up. Another downside . Impulse buys. So easy. And i got new shoes. Yeah. Reporter easy to buy, and when youre not using cash, nearly impossible to hide. Kelly cobiella, nbc news, stockholm, sweden. Have a nice day. When we come back, gold and a big night cell phone rings where are you . Well the squirrels are back in the attic. Mom . Your dad wont call an exterminator. Can i call you back, mom . He says its personal this time. If youre a mom, its what you do. If you want to save fifteen percent or more on car insurance, you switch to geico. R its what you do. Where are you . R its very loud there. Are you taking at zumba class . vo whats your dog foods first ingredient . Corn . Wheat . In purina one true instinct grain free, real chicken is always 1. No corn, wheat or soy. Support your active dogs whole body health with purina one. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Test. Everyones lookin red carpet ready. My man, lemme guess who youre wearing. Toenail fungus . Whaaat . . Fight it with jublia. Jublia is a prescription medicine. Used to treat toenail fungus. Use jublia as instructed by your doctor. Jublia is workin it most common side effects include. Ingrown toenail, application site redness,. Itching, swelling, burning. Or stinging, blisters, and pain. Oh fight it with jublia now thats a red carpet moment ask your doctor if jublia is right for you. Visit our website for savings an unexpected start to the day in where a magnitude 7. 1 earthquake rattled people out of bed this morning. The quake was centered 160 miles southwest of anchorage. It knocked items off of shelves, walls, damaged homes, but there were no immediate reports of injuries. Reporter update on our story yesterday about the gold sisters. Twins who competed in last nights figure skating championship in minnesota. Gracie gold, the evening was golden. She came from behind after her Short Program with an almost flawless performance, winning the championship and the Second National title of her career. Up next, dont talk to him about limits. One mans step by step guide to the possible. Severe ulcerative colitis, the possibility of a flare was almost always on my mind. Thinking about what to avoid, where to go. And how to deal with my uc. Until i talked to my doctor. She told me that humira helps people like me get uc under control and keep it under control when certain medications havent worked well enough. Humira can lower your ability to fight infections, including tuberculosis. Serious, sometimes fatal infections and cancers, including lymphoma, have happened; as have blood, liver, and nervous system problems, serious allergic reactions, and new or worsening heart failure. Before treatment, get tested for tb. Tell your doctor if youve been to areas where certain fungal infections are common, and if youve had tb, hepatitis b, are prone to infections, or have flulike symptoms or sores. Dont start humira if you have an infection. Raise your expectations. About humira. With humira, control is possible. You get a cold. Suddenly, youre a mouthbreather. Well, just put on a breathe opens your nose up to 38 more shut your mouth and say goodnight mouthbreathers. bear growls r burke smash and grub. R seen it. Covered it. We know a thing or two because weve seen a thing or two. We are farmers. Bumpadum, reminder of how much we can accomplish. When Trevor Thomas life changed a decade forward that has taken him to heights he never dreamed of. We get his story schwartz. Reporter on this bright, snowfilled utah day, Trevor Thomas sets out with no idea where each step be fall. Youd never guess watching him trek through the forest with his dog, especially if youre trying to keep up. All. Reporter hes quick to say hello to those he passes. Most are oblivious to he only hears them. Behind his shades, Trevor Thomas is dom completely blind. What are their reactions when they find out youre blind . Its one of the times i really, really wish i could see, to see the look on their face. Reporter over the years, trevor and his dog trek aid cross ked across the nations longest and toughest trails. 175 miles of the appalachian trail. All 2,654 miles of the Pacific Crest trail. With a total of more than 1,000 days and nights alone in the back country. I take each step. Reporter ten years ago he lost his sight to a rare eye disease, but everything changed when he met eric, another blind man who kayaks, ice climbs and he gave me the strength when i didnt have it myself. Reporter now trevor is pushing the limits of what even sighted people can do. By all rules of nature, im a blind guy. Here. Reporter on this winter day, we followed him through for others. Careful. Reporter he relies on his heightened hearing to listen to echoes to allow him to sense changes in terrain. Up there, it goes like the crown of a boat, is what it sounds like. In front of us, what are you sensing . Lot of rock here. Lot of rock here. Probably 75 feet of vertical right there. Reporter trevor has fallen more times than he can count. Even cracked a few ribs. At times, his ability seems superhuman. The condition, constantly posing considerable risk. Good dog. Reporter among the mountain peaks, hes learned to take in the views differently. Dont get me wrong, id love to have my sight, but this one point in time, i actually think im more fortunate. Because sighted people will just remember what they see. I take away from this everything. Reporter a man with a sixth sense for beauty and grandeur, sharing his vision for