big wheels in the san francisco hills. the rays is back. it happened on the vermont street. every easter sunday they gather to raise their own big wheels. they put on really cool costumes. tonight, 70 million americans facing down severe weather threats sweeping coast to coast. the massive rainmaker pounding the west, roads flooded. >> this is nuts! oh, my god, this is so bad. >> this car swept away. drivers rescued. parts of the pacific coast highway collapsing, tourists stranded and the storm is now churning east. new video as the cleanup event

baltimore bridge has begun while in oklahoma a barge runs into another bridge stopping traffic. israel's deadly air strikes hitting tents directly outside a hospital and the massive protests against prime minister benjamin netanyahu tonight. police in texas reportedly seeking nfl star rashee rice, wide receiver for the kansas city chiefs possibly tied to a major car crash involving a lamborghini and a corvette. bystanders hurt and police say some involved fled the scene. >> a major pay raise starts tomorrow for food workers in california. will the cost of your favorite burger go up with it? and a major city taking the most drastic step yet to curb out-of-control gridlock pay $15 to enter downtown. will other cities follow suit? on this easter sunday, pope francis and king charles powering through health struggles as the world celebrates the holiday. this is "nbc nightly news."

good evening and happy easter. i'm gadi schwartz. as millions prepare to travel back home after the holiday the weather is set to create problems from los angeles to delaware. starting today some 70 million americans are under severe weather threats. it's already started here in california. look at this. along highway 101, a major freeway here. cars literally submerged by rushing water. you probably heard of the picturesque pacific coast highway. you can see parts of it collapsed, shutting it down and the pounding rain on the coast has turned into driving snow in the mountains. areas getting close to two feet and that storm system is set to tear through most of the country, bringing wind, rain and the potential for deadly tornadoes. jesse kirsch is covering it all tonight. >> oh my god! this is the 101. >> reporter: in southern california, nearly 2 inches of rain falling in just one hour. >> oh, my god, this is

so bad. >> twila douglas filming this video yesterday alongside her husband scott on highway 101 in santa barbara county. severe flooding temporarily shutting down the highway in both directions. >> it was surreal. i had never been in water like that. i was really worried. >> oh, oh, god, look at this poor car. >> reporter: some drivers left stranded. officials say eight people were rescued and one driver was treated for hypothermia. the heavy rains washing out part of highway 1. a nearby lodge opening its doors for stranded visitors. >> charmaine was escorted out of the area this afternoon. >> it's a total roller coaster because we went in one moment thinking that we had to start rationing our energy bars to being told we could leave. >> dangerous wet roads in orange county causing this car to spin out and crash into a ditch, according to local reports. >> the possibility that you could see flooding here. >> millions under flood alerts across california. >> that was a bright

one. >> reporter: take a look at this video, appearing to show a plane getting struck by lightning near san jose. and farther north, this is debris from a plane crash overnight that left two people dead according to airport officials. the cause has not been determined though it was snowing in the area. the ntsb is investigating. more than 2 feet of snow fell this weekend in part of the sierra nevadas and on this easter sunday the storm is racing across the rockies as the eastern half of the country braces for storms. >> jesse join us from cincinnati and jesse, the severe weather is headed your way, right? >> reporter: yeah, that's right, gadi. here in the ohio valley we could be seeing as much as four inches of rain by tuesday and that means the risk of flooding and meanwhile, across stretches of the southeast there is the potential for record heat through tuesday and in southern texas and parts of that state there could be triple digit temperatures tomorrow. gadi? >> jesse kirsch, thanks so much. tonight, we are getting new details

and new video from the massive around the clock cleanup operation at the bridge disaster in baltimore. and it comes as yet another huge boat hit and damaged another bridge. aaron gilchrist is in baltimore with more. >> reporter: tonight, the first view of a beam carried away by crane from the wreckage of the key bridge. coast guard video showing crews using cutting torches to slice through steel. officials confirming the first salvage issues were a success including a 200-ton bridge cut away from the bridge on saturday. still, it's just a fraction of the work to be done. >> these are secondary pieces and we're hoping to open up secondary channels. >> what's your understanding that now a week later, the probability of finding these four men that are missing and what will it take to do that? >> we owe it to these families to bring a sense of closure. so as soon as it is safe for our divers to get back into the water those divers are going back in the water those divers are going back in the water. >> reporter: even as

the 24/7 effort in the water ramps up, political debate in washington with republicans criticizing president biden's quick promise to pay for a new bridge in baltimore. >> we could see republicans and democrats cooperate to get president biden's infrastructure package through, surely they can help america and baltimore deal with this tragedy. >> holy! holy [ bleep ]. >> reporter: and in oklahoma on saturday, another bridge pillar hit, this time by a barge, temporarily closing the span over the arkansas river. >> it didn't knock the bridge down. i don't know. oh, my gosh. >> reporter: two bring incidents less than a week apart, now fueling concerns about america's aging infrastructure. >> certainly, this incident is going to give america's bridge builders and engineering community a lot to think about. >> and aaron joins us from the site of the baltimore bridge. aaron, what other resources are on the way? >> reporter: gadi, we understand a fourth crane from the navy is expected to arrive

here tomorrow along with several dozen more support ships in the coming days. we also expect to see president biden here to tour the wreckage site this week. gadi? >> aaron gilchrist, thanks so much. overseas now, more deadly strikes on gaza today, hitting tents at one of the few hospitals still standing. this comes as there are major protests calling for the resignation of israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu. meagan fitzgerald reports. >> reporter: tonight, more bloodshed in gaza. israel believed to have hit tent outside al aqsa hospital killing and injuring a number of people including journalists according to gaza health officials. "i fell to the ground," this journalist tells nbc news, "and saw my leg was school len. we were in a journalists tent. why did they target us?" the israeli military issuing this statement, a precision strike meant to

minimize harm to uninvolved civilians, saying the idf and isa struck an operational jihad command center positioned in the courtyard of the al aqsa hospital. "there is no victory without entering rafah," israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu saying today the operation in rafah has been approved and will move forward, a move the biden administration has called a red line. while in israel a new and fierce wave of protests. thousands taking to the streets in tel aviv and across the country for a second day in a row. calling for prime minister netanyahu to resign. >> go, sign this deal. get the hostages back. there are measures that should have been taken and they didn't take them. >> reporter: protesters gathering tonight, warning they're not going home until the hostages are back. meagan fitzgerald, nbc news. back in this country, police are

reportedly searching for kansas city chiefs wide receiver rashee rice following a major car crash in dallas. priscilla thompson has late-breaking details. >> reporter: tonight dallas police are reportedly looking for kansas city chiefs wide receiver rashee rice in connection with a high-speed crash believed to be registered to rice. the six-vehicle crash sent two people to the hospital with minor injuries saturday, police say. new photos obtained by tmz sports appear to show the occupants leaving the cars in question. a preliminary investigation finds the crash was caused by two drivers speeding, one in a corvette and the other in a lamborghini. police say the drivers lost control, the lamborghini slamming into the center division, causing a collision. occupants all ran from the scene, police say, without stopping to determine if anyone needed medical help or providing their information.

rice's alleged involvement in the crash, if any, is unclear, and police say they are still working to identify suspects. the star wide receiver grew upon in the dallas area and is one of the chiefs' leading receivers, helping the reigning super bowl champs secure this year's win. nbc news reached out to the kansas city chiefs and the nfl and has not received a response for comment. tonight, life off the field in the spotlight as the crash investigation continues. priscilla thompson, nbc news. now to some breaking news about a massive data leak. at&t is investigating the breach involving about 73 million former and current customers and information leaked on to the dark web could include social security numbers, names, email, and addresses. saturday says it's reaching out to customers with plans to offer free identity theft and credit monitoring services to those impacted. for the world's christians, if it was an easter sunday of prayer and celebration led by pope francis whose own fragile health issues didn't

stop him from spreading his pleas for peace. here's marissa parra. >> reporter: for a christian holiday filleded with hope, the face of the catholic church delivered exactly that on east err sunday. at times in need of a wheelchair. sounding hoarse, the pope's appearance, otherwise reassuring days after sparking health worries when he canceled the good friday procession at the last minute. the royal family no stranger to health concerns. outside of windsor, easter service, the princess of wales not joining father-in-law king charles for a public appearance, his first major engagement since they both disclosed their cancer diagnoses earlier this year. >> it's looking well, it's looking well. >> reporter: as millions celebrate easter across america today, including some here in miami, this is a celebration across countries and across languages. from australia to iraq to the philippines,

signs of the christian holy week written across continents and observed even among those enduring unspeakable hardships. solemn services seen in ukraine and gaza city highlighted by the pope today in his sermon. who once again called for a ceasefire. last night protesters in new york's st. patrick's cathedral demanding the same. >> hello, happy easter! >> reporter: but blocks away and hours later, those tensions had eased in time for the new york easter bonnet parade. the streets, a sea of pastel, flowers and feathers galore, a day to celebrate hope, whatever that looks like in difficult times. marissa parra, nbc news. still ahead tonight, fast food workers are getting a big pay raise, but does that mean you can end up paying more for your favorite burger? plus, a saw blade

spinning out of control. the shockingly close call caught on camera.

and starting tomorrow, fast food workers in one state will make 20 bucks an hour. it is a big boost to their bottom line, but there's already concern over the ripple effects including layoffs and a rise in prices for your burger and fries. david noriega has a preview. >> reporter: starting monday, a pay boost for more than half a million californians.

good news for lizette aguilar, who after 17 years working for mcdonald's still has trouble making ends meet. we ask her how she feels. "eager," she says for that first bigger paycheck. it will help with bills and maybe she'll get something special for her 9-year-old son marcos. california's new law sets a $20 an hour minimum wage for fast food workers up from the current $16. most workers affected are women of color. >> this is a big deal. $20 an hour. >> reporter: one of the biggest questions is how will this affect consumers, especially in a state where everything is already very expensive and a lot of people have a hard time affording basics like housing and food. mcdonald's, starbucks, chipotle and other major chains have said publicly they intend to raise prices, but by how much? some economists anticipate about 5%. others as little as 2%. >> for a $5 mac that would be a dime. ten cents. people notice it, but

i don't think they believe notice their behavior. >> reporter: people say the wage increase will accelerate trains that hurt workers, like replacing cashiers with electronic kiosks. some pizza franchise own verse already announced layoffs of in-house drivers switching to third-party delivery apps instead and there's no question the rise in labor costs will put e pressure franchise owners like carey harper whose family owns 21 mcdonald's in the los angeles area. >> we will, of course, like everyone else's will have to increase prices in some way, shape or form and what people don't understand, it doesn't matter, mcdonald's and taco bell, they're just big corporations. we are family businesses. >> reporter: some fast food customers say even if they do pay more it's a price worth paying. >> i'm okay with it because it feels like everything else is going up. it's about time wages go up. david noriega, nbc news, los angeles. and we are back in a moment with a drastic and pricey new plan to battle gridlock. it's never been done in the united states before and it's already firing up a lot of drivers.

could your city be next?

and we have a truly jaw-dropping close call to show you tonight. check this out. surveillance video shows that a man in oregon walked into a store. now watch extremely closely there. almost out of nowhere a giant buzz saw blade comes barreling across that parking lot, hits the side of the door where he was just walking. take another look there. that saw blade came loose from a nearby construction site and impaled itself into a spot where the man was just a few seconds before. incredible no one was hurt. >> for so many of us traffic is the most miserable part of the day, but now one major city is launching a controversial new plan

to battle mind-numbing gridlock and other cities may follow suit soon, but that plan comes at quite the cost and george solis reports from new york city. >> reporter: it seems the only thing some new yorkers hate more than its infamous traffic -- >> it's the worst thing in the world. it will destroy new york. >> reporter: is the new plan to ease it. >> where do you stand? >> where do i stand personally? i'm against it. it affects too much. >> reporter: new york making history as the first in the nation to green light congestion pricing. >> this or this. >> reporter: that's the attitude? >> that's my attitude. >> reporter: the plan approved this week will charge most motorists $15 to drive into midtown and lower manhattan during peak travel hours. advocates say it will encourage people to take public transportation or carpool decreasing traffic by as much as 17%. >> just give it a chance? >> i think so. >> reporter: and the city desperately needs it. the latest data shows the average speed in midtown for cars just over 4 miles an hour. for context, the

average person walks at three miles an hour. the plan doesn't start until summer, but toll readers are already in place. coming up this summer in new york, this is either going to be a pedestrian's best friend or a commuter's worst nightmare. could other cities be next? former new york commissioner sam schwartz says yes. >> every city that has implemented it has kept it in because it's been successful. >> reporter: in london where it's been on the books for over 20 years traffic congestion has been reduce said by 30%. singapore saw a 20% drop immediately after it implemented congestion pricing 15 years ago. >> if new york is successful, and i think it will be successful, you'll begin to see this tried out all across the united states. >> reporter: boston city council has called for hearings to introduce congestion pricing, the mayor not ruling it out. >> anything should be on the table. >> reporter: in los angeles, there's a congestion pricing proposal on the table in time for the 2028 olympics. others like seattle

are considering variations on congestion pricing. back in new york city, the opposition is strong. new york jersey governor phil murphy and other local groups suing. >> i think it is a money grab. >> reporter: susan lee thinks this will hurt everyday people. >> the cost of food is rising. their cost of everyday life is rising, and so it's really not fair to put this burden on the backs of working-class new yorkers. >> reporter: but even those for it say each city is different and they'll need to adapt. >> this is a pretty imperfect system. the city will have to make adjustments as time goes on. >> reporter: the road to solve congestion could have more twists and turns ahead. george solis, nbc news, new york. and when we come back there is good news tonight. the dance squad showing everyone it is never too late to dream big.

♪ and there is good news tonight about never letting go of your dreams and the inspiring dance squad giving sports fans a thrilling new reason to cheer. >> an unforgettable finish. >> after a historic run the wnba's las vegas aces are on a roll. >> back-to-back champion! >> but those moves on the court just part of what makes a team fan favorites. ♪ ♪ >> their high rollers dance squad has been electrifying audiences for two years. >> all of them, men and women over age 50 and fabulous. justice tualoa is the dance team's director. >> we wanted to have something different and we thought giving a second chance to

people who were later on in life and wanted to give them a second opportunity at living a dream. >> hi there! >> reporter: bigger and better than ever, the squad just held season 3 tryouts. hundreds showed up, professionals and amateurs alike. including christine robbins who is a former sheriff's deputy and now a first-time grandmother. what does this mean having a dream later on in life and following it? >> you would have told me 30 years ago i'd be dancing for a women's pro basketball team i would say yeah, you're crazy. ♪ >> reporter: christine made the squad along with lisa hank, who also spent her career in law enforcement. ♪ >> reporter: this is your idea of retirement, huh? >> this is our idea of retirement. >> reporter: both excited to cheer their lady aces on to a third championship. ♪ >> it really is awesome to be at this

stage of my life and have my children and my grandchildren see me do what i love to do. my youngest daughter, she's videotaping us perform, and i heard her scream, "go, mom, go!" >> reporter: and you heard that pride in her voice on that video? >> yes. and that was everything. >> reporter: everything to these dancers now inspiring fans across generations. >> one, two, three! >> high rollers! [ applause ] >> and the high rollers will be dancing for their biggest crowds yet because, guess what? the aces already sold out their season tickets. that's "nbc nightly news" for this sunday. i'm gadi schwartz. thanks so much for watching this easter sunday. have a great night.

right now at 6:00, some lingering showers heading into the start of the week. when we can expect the next storm to roll back in. devastating losses on easter morning. oakland business trying to recover from an early morning break-in and how small businesses are rallying to call for an end to the brazen crime. and giving artists with disabilities a place to show their work. the historic purchase by the