college murders ahead of his first court appearance. the father of one victim speaking out. how he feels about potentially coming face to face with the alleged killer. new images of the crowd fleeing after the new year s eve machete attack on nypd officers. the suspect now charged. was it a terrorist act? new troubles as holiday travelers make their way home. why thousands of flights are canceled or delayed again. actor jeremy renner airlifted to the hospital after he was critically injured in a snow plowing accident. what we re learning. and our tribute to a tv trailblazer. the legendary barbara walters. announcer: this is nbc nightly news with lester holt. good evening. it is good to be back with you and happy new year. this holiday season that has seemingly been bookended with severe weather is spawning some new and dangerous threats tonight. as we come on the air, tornado watches are in effect, stretching from east texas to arkansas and louisiana. already we
if it wasn t for you guys, we d be in a lot of trouble. and don t do nothing stupid like i did. reporter: after days of relentless rain northern california was pummeled with the brunt of a powerful atmospheric river, a band of moisture pouring onto the coast. in san francisco, where the city nearly broke its single-day rainfall record, pedestrians floated down busy streets. others used kayaks or surfboards. statewide as roads remain impassable some are still under evacuation orders. it was like mother nature came alive and declared war on sacramento. reporter: in sacramento county where there s been at least one death authorities are bracing for more. i ve worked for the fire department, or previously the elk grove fire department for 21 years. this is the most significant flooding i ve seen in this area in 21 years. reporter: with two more atmospheric rivers expected to hammer the state later this week mudslides, rock slides and flooding are a major concern, especially wit