What the president is now saying about them tonight. Martha raddatz with late reporting. And the images now emerging, with the u. S. Now gone. Taliban fighters appearing to enter a hangar with helicopters, walking the tarmac. More than 70 aircraft abandoned. The pentagon saying they were left inoperable. Across that country, 76,000 u. S. Military vehicles. How will the u. S. Make sure afghanistan doesnt become a Safe Haven for terrorists like it was before 9 11 . Ian pannell in doha. Tonight, the other major headline. First Hurricane Ida and now those Storms Barrelling across several states. That deadly collapse of a highway. The storms headed right into the northeast. Warning tonight of straightline winds, possible tornadoes. And our team in the Air Today with the Coast Guard over louisiana. Homes and entire communities surrounded by water. Hundreds of thousands still without power. Matt gutman reporting on the ground tonight. Chief Meteorologist Ginger Zee with the new threat. D. C. , philadelphia, right up through new York City. More than 80 large fires burning as we come On The Air. States of emergency issued for nevada and parts of california. The Caldor Fire sweeping into the Lake Tahoe Basin. The alarming spike in Child Covid cases tonight. More than 300 children every day now being admitted to the hospital. And late word tonight, two teachers at one Junior High School dying from covid within the first week of school. In new York City tonight, authorities say the 80pound Cougar taken from an apartment. And the Patriots Star Player cut from the team, reportedly acknowledging covid slowing him down. Good evening and its great to have you with us here on this tuesday night. W are following these major storms after Hurricane Ida, now moving up the coast tonight. The deadly Highway Collapse from this. The northeast now bracing. And well have it all in just a moment. But we do begin tonight with President Biden speaking to the nation, saying the War In Afghanistan now over, saying it was a promise he made, a promise he kept. Saying he refuses to, quote, send another generation of americas Sons And Daughters to a war that should have ended long ago. Speaking of the Courage And Bravery of american Service Members who served in afghanistan and paying tribute to the fallen. 2,461 u. S. Service members and civilians lost. Their lives, of course, the 13 Service Members included in that attack last week. The president saying, i take responsibility for the decision, after the u. S. And the world witnessed the rapid fall in just 11 days to the taliban and the dangerous evacuations. Saying, quote, there is no evacuation from the end of a war without the kinds of complexities, challenges and threats we faced. Tonight, the pentagon now releasing this new image of troops preparing to board that very last flight out of Kabul Airport, just before midnight kabul time. And this image overnight, of the last u. S. Service member out. Major general chris donahue. Shortly after that last flight, the taliban moving in to take full control of the airport, entering a hangar full of u. S. Military hardware. Abandoned u. S. Vehicles and aircraft. The pentagon saying theyd all been demilitarized. Aircraft that will never be flown again. Vehicles that will never be driven again. Tonight here, the case made by the president today. The tough questions now moving forward. What about The Americans still there . And what about any potential terror threat, what does afghanistan look like from here . Abcs chief global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz leading us off. Reporter tonight, President Biden defiant, doubling down on his decision to pull all u. S. Troops out of afghanistan. My fellow americans, the War In Afghanistan is now over. Im the fourth president that has faced the issue of whether and when to end this war. When i was running for president , i made a commitment to the american people that i would end this war. Today, ive honored that commitment. It was time to be honest with the american people again. We no longer had a clear purpose in an openended mission in afghanistan. Reporter 24 hours ago in the darkness of the Kabul Airport, the last american Service Member leaving. I refuse to send another generation of americas Sons And Daughters to fight a war that shouldve ended long ago. Reporter and no apologies for the violent and chaotic evacuation. I take responsibility for the decision. Now some say we should have started mass evacuations sooner. And couldnt this have been done in a more orderly manner . I respectfully disagree. The Bottom Line is, there is no evacuation from the end of a war that you can run without the kinds of complexities, challenges, threats we faced. None. Reporter the president calling the evacuation an extraordinary success. But acknowledging up to 200 americans were left behind despite his promise to get them all out. Since march, we reached out 19 times to americans in afghanistan, with multiple warnings and offers to help them leave afghanistan. All the way back as far as march. The Bottom Line, 90 of americans in afghanistan who wanted to leave were able to leave. And for those remaining americans, there is no deadline. We remain committed to get them out if they want to come out. Reporter the president reminding all that former President Trump wanted out of afghanistan, as well, and had struck a deal with the taliban for americans to leave. That was the choice, the real choice, between leaving or escalating. I was not going to extend this forever war. And i was not extending a forever exit. I believe this is the right decision, a wise decision, and the best decision for america. Martha, you and i were On The Air as the president was addressing the american people late today. I know youre back with us tonight with late reporting. And i know the president has said for The Americans who do remain, the administration saying fewer than 200. The president saying there is no deadline for americans who remain, that he is still committed to bringing every american who wants to come home home. But that effort just got a lot more difficult. Reporter it did, david. At this point, the Kabul Airport has not even fully reopened and the u. S. Is suggesting evacuees try overland routes, but the president said they have leverage over the taliban through economic pressure and the talibans desire to be recognized. David . Yeah, but that is a big test moving forward. Martha raddatz leading us off. And as i mentioned off the top tonight, the taliban moving in quickly at the Kabul Airport. The president spoke of the Human Cost today. The number of american Service Members lost over the 20year war. He also mentioned the financial cost. The cost often estimated at a trillion dollars. The president saying at that number, thats 150 Million a day spent on the War In Afghanistan for 20 years. Tonight here, the images of the taliban now at that airport. Heres our senior Foreign Correspondent Ian Pannell. Reporter overnight, the taliban celebrating americas withdrawal, calling it independence day. Gunfire lighting up the night sky. The militants wasting no time, releasing video of them storming Kabul Airport shortly after u. S. Forces left. Today, posting a Video Showing what they say is their troops flying over mazaresharif in the north in an afghan military helicopter. In military fatigues, the militants seizing control of Kabul Airport within hours of the last american plane departing. Taliban leaders walking the tarmac, claiming victory over American Forces in the shadow of a C130 Plane left behind. Inspecting the spoils of war. Entering one Hangar Housing military helicopters. More than 70 American Military Aircraft abandoned at the airport. The pentagon saying all disabled so they cant be used. Those aircraft will never fly again. Theyll never be able to be operated by anyone. Reporter so much equipment has been abandoned. As many as 70 mwraps, mineresistant ambush vehicles, costing A Million Dollars apiece still at that airport. Across afghanistan, an even larger trove of weapons and equipment falling into taliban hands. Scores more aircraft, 76,000 vehicles including 22,000 humvees and almost A Million infantry weapons. The u. S. Saying some machinery left intact so the airport can function getting it up and running again critical to getting americans left behind out. And desperately needed humanitarian relief in. And so lets bring in Ian Pannell reporting from doha, qatar, again tonight. And ian, all along, one of the central missions of this war was to make sure afghanistan would never again be a Safe Haven for terrorists like it was leading up to september 11th. Look at the Suicide Bomb Attack killing u. S. Service members last week. We have reported here on the thousands of isis prisoners released in that country. Obviously difficult to answer, difficult to predict, but what what is the threat moving . Forward . Reporter i think there are significant risks. Al qaeda is diminished but not defeated. Isis is in the country and hundreds of their fighters just released from prison. The president is insistent that the u. S. Will continue to carry out antiterrorism missions from over the horizon, but not being on the ground, of course, diminishes your ability to see the threat and to deal with it. And i think that will be a growing question, can the taliban deal with it, and if not, can we . David . Thats the question. Ian pannell with us from doha again tonight. Ian, thank you. Our coverage of afghanistan for tonight. But in the meantime, we do turn now to the other major news this evening, Hurricane Ida and now the storms moving up the east coast, right into the northeast next. Tonight, the deadly Highway Collapse from these new storms after already wrecking havoc along the gulf coast. More than 1 Million customers without power in this stifling heat and with homes destroyed. Our team flying over grand isle, louisiana, with the Coast Guard. Communities still under water and cut off. Destruction everywhere, twisted debris, semitrucks overturned. Homes and buildings damaged or destroyed. And with these new storms, i mentioned, that collapse, two people were killed when that Mississippi Highway came down, undermined by flood waters. Ginger zee with the track of these dangerous new storms in a moment, but first, our chief national correspondent Matt Gutman flying with the Coast Guard and what he saw. Reporter tonight, those hardest Hit Communities from the air. The u. S. Coast guard taking us up and over louisiana towns that may exist on the map, but now made barely recognizable by Hurricane Ida. This is port fourchon, where that 172 Wind Gust was recorded. You can see what it did to that Boat Dock obliterating it. We flew to grand isle, desolate, largely destroyed and cut off from the world. But our Pilot Matt Keiper spotting something below. White Pickup Truck there in the Intersection Stuck in the mud with some wires. Reporter we touched down. This is the island where a bunch of people were riding it out. The Coast Guard flew overhead and they gave them a thumbs up. On the ground and in that truck was chris who showed me videos of what it was like to ride out the storm. So, youre sitting there and youre watching literally the house crumble in front of you and around you. Yes. Reporter now, he was stuck in the sand. His truck, his only air conditioning. Over 6,000 National Guard fanning out across louisiana and mississippi, along with local First Responders and the volunteer cajun navy, Plucking Hundreds from the water. I paddled a boat as far as i could and ive been walking about 30 minutes. Reporter those Transmission Lines and towers were reinforced after katrina, now theyre lying crumpled. Officials now say it could be a month before all power is restored. The August Heat making it feel over 100 Degrees Today in New Orleans. Theres no power here and families have become desperate. Theyre trying to fill up their vehicles but also Jerry Cans for their generators. Now, there are so few Gas Stations open here that this line is over an hour long and stretches beyond the interstate, its even backing up traffic on the offramp. Jeremy has a 2yearold and a 3monthold baby at home. Hes been looking for an open Gas Station for two days now. Its crazy. They got people cutting line, all that. Reporter yeah. I mean, i hear its pretty desperate in some places, people are getting very oh, yeah. Reporter aggravated about getting gas. Yeah. You cant find it. Its gold. Its gold right now. Reporter and tonight, the Death Toll continues to rise. In george county, mississippi, seven cars plunging through that chasm that used to be highway 26. Two people were killed, three more in critical condition. And back to louisiana tonight. Matt, i know you just landed after that flight with the Coast Guard, those towns cut off. 1 Million people still without power tonight. I know fears now growing about food, getting them help, getting them clean water. Reporter the basics of life, david, have become nightmarish here. And ill give you an example. There are virtually no Hotel Rooms within three hours of New Orleans. And even if people had a place to go, many wouldnt be able to get there. They are so short on fuel. So few Gas Stations open. And so hundreds of thousands of people are going to have to stick it out in this dangerous heat, young and old. But there is a sliver of good news. Just moments ago, the mayor of New Orleans saying some Power Transmission will resume to the city starting tomorrow. David . That is encouraging. All right, Matt Gutman, our thanks to you again tonight. And this evening, those severe storms from ida heading into the northeast next. Warnings of straightline winds and possible tornadoes. Chief Meteorologist Ginger Zee with the new track. Reporter david, the remnants of ida are still spinning over tennessee. You can see them right there on the radar. But then, all of the Flash Flood watches that extend up through the entire state of massachusetts. So, heres the timing for you. We do think that the remnants are going to come up against this cold front, squeeze out six to even eight inches of rain. Severe storms, maryland, delaware, southern new jersey. Thats Tomorrow Afternoon and evening. And scranton over to north jersey, thats when it gets rowdy. Were talking up to six inches of rain. Flash flooding possible. New York City to connecticut and boston thursday morning. David . All right, following it in the days ahead for sure, ginger, thank you. And again tonight, the Wildfire Emergency in the west. More than 80 large fires burning as were On The Air tonight. States of emergency now issued for nevada and parts of california. In fact, californias Caldor Fire reaching the Lake Tahoe Basin now. Abcs Kayna Whitworth on the front lines tonight. Reporter tonight, the Caldor Fire racing toward South Lake Tahoe. Tens of thousands fleeing the area. There is only one way out of town and its a Parking Lot out there. Reporter the fire spreading rpidly. The embers that are flying off those flames, so those can start new fires. In nearby Christmas Valley, homes surrounded by flames. Firefighters rushed up with here with their hose to put out this tree that was on fire, had fallen over, because look, were just a few yards away here from an entire neighborhood in Christmas Valley thats being threatened right now. The blaze already damaging over 700 structures and is only 16 contained. Several counties in California And Nevada a state of emergency. David, this is currently the biggest Wildfire Threat to South Lake Tahoe in its history. And youre seeing how the wind has really kicked up these flames on this hillside here. Thats incredibly rough terrain as it just completely overtakes that tree right there. And these Red Flag warnings have been extended now through wednesday. David . All right, Kayna Whitworth and the team there. Thank you, kayna. Now, to the pandemic. The alarming spike in Child Covid cases in the u. S. And this number tonight. More than 300 children being admitted to the hospital every day with covid here in this country. Nearly 2,200 children now hospitalized. And with more children heading back to school, a Junior High School outside waco, texas, tonight, now mourning the loss of two teachers, both dying of covid within the first week of school. When we come back on this busy news night, news this evening on Reverend Jesse Jackson and his wife battling covid. And in new York City tonight, authorities removing an 80pound Cougar from an apartment. I brought in ensure max protein, with thirty grams of protein. Those who tried me felt more energy in just two weeks [sighs wearily] here, ill take that woohoo ensure max protein. 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If you cant afford your medicine, abbvie may be able to help. There is News Tonight on Reverend Jesse Jackson and his wife jacqueline as they battle covid. The family says shes out of Intensive Care in chicago and still receiving oxygen. She was not vaccinated because of her concerns about a preexisting condition. Jesse jackson, who has parkinsons, was transferred to a Rehab Facility after his breakthrough infection. When we come back, the Patriots Star Player cut from the team. What he says about covid. And that 80pound Cougar saved from a new york apartment. Oh my, with Chase Freedom unlimited, i earn all this cash back . Oh, i gotta tell everyone. Hey rita, you can earn 3 on dining, including takeout bon appetit. Hey kim, you earn 5 on travel purchased througch way ahead of you. Hey neal, you can earn 3 at drug stores buddy, im right here. Why are you yelling . 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Making 50,000 meals a day for those in need. Many without water, without power, just trying to get by right now and a little bit of Comfort Food goes a long way. Reporter tonight, americans looking out for one another. The need is great and so is the kindness. Im david muir. I hope to see you right back here tomorrow. Good night the battle for Tahoe Today is a matter of skirmishes against spot fires. We are tracking the conditions around the Caldor Fire and where this virus headed in the forecast. We dont know what to do but we are trying to do anything we can to help them and make them feel comfortable. From afghanistan to the east bay, meet the local stepping up to help out afghan refugees. Plus, Jury Selection finally begins in the trail of trial of elizabeth holmes. A trial that could last for months. Live breaking news. Tonight, the battle for tahoe is the Caldor Fire rages through el dorado county. A few critical miles separate the flames from neighborhoods with thousands of homes. Good evening. Im ama daetz. We will begin with the very latest information. Dan with the flames pushing east, evacuations are being ordered across the State Line for parts of nevada. Calfire about one hour ago said it has been able to keep the fire out of kirkwood and is protecting buildings. Ama at least 486 homes have been destroyed and dozens more have been damaged. It scorched more than 191,000 acres and 16 contained. Crews are expecting another rough day tomorrow, but there is hope. I think today is the worst of the weather days. Tomorrow is going to be another bad weather day. I will be honest with you. It will be the last one of those. Theres a light at the end of the tunnel. Ama the Caldor Fire is the second wildfire to burn across the Sierra Mountain Range in california history. The other, the massive Dixie Fire which scorched more than 800,000 acres. Dan we have Life Team Coverage of the Caldor Fire fight tonight. We are bringing two weather experts. Drew tuma and spencer christian, both tracking the conditions with the very latest information