Stay Tuned NOW with Gadi Schwartz – Aug. 26 | NBC News NOW
Deadly Landslide in Alaska: Threat of New Landslides Looms as Rain Continues
I’m Gotti Schwarz, and welcome to our evening news broadcast. Tonight, we’re tracking a devastating landslide that struck the city of Ketchikan, Alaska, leaving one person dead and three others injured. The disaster was declared by the governor of Alaska, and mandatory evacuations are underway in the affected area.
A new video has emerged, showing the devastating impact of the landslide, which took down trees and power lines. The slide occurred in an area known for its heavy rainfall, and officials are warning of the potential for another landslide as more rain is forecasted in the coming days.
According to NBC’s Dana Griffin, who is on the ground in Ketchikan, the mayor described the town as a "long ribbon" with homes and businesses affected by the slide. The person who died was a passenger in a vehicle that was caught in the slide.
The landslide has left the town of Ketchikan in a state of uncertainty, with many residents evacuated from their homes. The area is prone to landslides due to its heavy rainfall, and officials are working to determine the cause of the slide and assess the damage.
Forecast: More Rain on the Way
Meteorologist Bill Ken joined us to discuss the forecast, which shows a high chance of rain in the coming days. "The Pacific Northwest is always prone to rain, and this area is no exception," he said. "We’re looking at a chance of 3-4 inches of rain in the next few days, which could lead to more landslides."
Ken also discussed the larger weather pattern, which is expected to bring hot temperatures to the Midwest and East Coast in the coming days. "It’s going to be a hot and humid Labor Day weekend, with temperatures reaching the 90s and 100s in some areas," he said.
SpaceX Delays Launch of Polaris Dawn Mission
In other news, SpaceX has delayed the launch of its Polaris Dawn mission, which was set to launch today. The delay is due to a groundside helium leak, which will be resolved before the launch. The mission aims to send a four-person crew to an orbit of almost 900 miles above the Earth, making it the first commercial spacewalk led by private astronauts.
NASA Astronaut Lays Out Plans for Future of Space Travel
Retired NASA astronaut Iink Collins joined us to discuss the future of space travel. "We’re excited about the progress being made by private companies like SpaceX," he said. "Their experience will help us lay the groundwork for long-duration spaceflight to the Moon and beyond."
Collins also discussed the importance of understanding the effects of space radiation on the human body, which will be a key focus of the Polaris Dawn mission. "We need to understand the radiation environment and how it affects our bodies," he said. "This mission will help us take a big step forward in that area."
That’s all for tonight. Thank you for joining us. Stay tuned for more breaking news and top stories on the NBC News app or follow us on social media.
