tonight, the new and deadly flooding emergency. the rescues, the families inside their homes on countertops, on their rooftops with flood waters rising. the emergency unfolding in kentucky. several other states bracing, too. and in the northeast tonight, severe storms now possible. the heavy rain and flash flood warnings now if effect across several states. tonight, kentucky's governor calling this some of the most devastating flooding in that state's history. the death toll expected to rise. hundreds of homes possibly destroyed. our team standing by in the flood zone. also as we come on tonight, those new watches and warnings in the northeast at this hour. a confirmed ef-2 tornado hitting buffalo, new york, winds up to 115 miles per hour. and the dangerous heat tonight across multiple states. rob marciano timing this out. the major news tonight on

the economy. the new report out just today driving new recession fears tonight. and what president biden said about this today. and the american families from new jersey to kentucky, across this nation, who say no matter what you call it, we're feeling it. rebecca jarvis reporting. tonight, the big push. democrats racing to pass that surprise breakthrough deal on climate. it would be the most ambitious climate undertaking in u.s. history. the bill also lowers prescription drug costs, health care costs, taxing the very rich and corporations. so, do they have the votes? with joe manchin now onboard. rachel scott standing by live on the hill. also news tonight, this phone call between president biden and china's president xi. the call lasting more than two hours. president xi with a warning to the u.s. and will house speaker nancy pelosi and a congressional delegation visit taiwan amid these tensions? mary bruce with late reporting. russia now responding tonight to that u.s. offer for a

prisoner swap to bring brittney griner and paul whelan home. sources say in exchange for the so-called merchant of death, victor bout being held here in the u.s. the monkeypox outbreak worsening across the u.s. tonight, what authorities are now telling americans across this country. the emotional scene in front of the u.s. capitol today. jon stewart blasting senate republicans for voting against a bill that would have helped america's ailing veterans. in the northeast tonight, sharks close to shore. what's now driving this? ginger zee off the coast of massachusetts tonight. and america strong tonight. the effort to save the puppies. good evening and it's great to have you with us here on a thursday night. and we begin tonight with the urgent search this evening for 2 missing after this new and deadly flooding emergency. at least eight people have died in kentucky and the death toll is expected to rise. reports of families who were

trapped in their kitchens as those floodwaters were rising. a grandmother trying to find her family, no cell service. she has not heard from her grabbedchildren. what kentucky's governor is now saying tonight. much of the town of garrett is now flooded. the water quickly rising after dark, catch something many by surprise. hazard, kentucky, devastated tonight. this road now a river. the water rushing down a hill, taking this home right down with it. homes and cars, so many of them destroyed, so many under water tonight. in buckhorn, kentucky, flood waters up to the roof of this school. emergency crews using boats to rescue people. so many stranded by the rain. some rescued from their rooftops. and tonight, with roads out and communications down, there is a desperate search to find so many still unaccounted for. abc's mola lenghi leading us off tonight, he's on the scene in kentucky. >> reporter: tonight, homes washed away and unspeakable damage. flash flood emergencies in kentucky claiming multiple lives. the storms coming in the middle

of the night. >> we have had numerous, numerous inches of rain that have fallen over a short period of time. >> reporter: calls coming into emergency responders for families trapped. >> got a family trapped in a home, standing on the counter. the water's almost over the counters and they have no -- there's no way for them to get any higher. >> reporter: barbara wicker desperate for word on her relatives. >> you said you have five grandchildren stuck? >> yes, and two adults. >> two adults? >> yes, their porch has been knocked off. they waist deep in water. the water is up to their doors. their phones are probably out. i can't reach them. i can't reach 911. >> reporter: rescuers facing challenging conditions to reach stranded residents. >> we just can't get to them, because the water is so swift. >> everything is gone, like, everything is gone. >> reporter: rachel patton's home completely flooded. the water deep. >> we had to swim out. it was over my head. >> reporter: flood waters inundating this school. >> oh, my --

>> reporter: the destruction revealed when they receded. waterways filled with debris. cinder blocks all that remain where some buildings used to be. kentucky's governor calling up the national guard, warning the death toll will rise. >> asking everybody to pray. there's a lot of people out there who need help who are really scared right now and we're doing the very best we can to reach each and every one of them. >> reporter: late today, more flash flooding in st. louis. coming just days after that area was hit by devastating floods. >> st. louis hit again tonight. let's bring in mola lenghi in kentucky, and we can see the water there right up almost to that overpass over your shoulder. >> reporter: yeah, david. this river, the water still much higher than it normally is, as you can see, homes and businesses nearby still submerged, still flooded out. the devastation is widespread and there seems to be more rain coming to many of these same areas tonight, david. >> mola lenghi on the scene for us.

mola, thank you. kentucky and several surrounding states still under a flood threat tonight and in the northeast at this hour, bracing for potential severe storms here. tonight, the damage coming in from an ef-2 tornado that hit southeast of buffalo, new york. winds 115 miles an hour. and of course, the heat, too, more than 36 million americans remain under heat alerts all the way to the northwest and at least two lives now lost to heat in oregon. senior meteorologist rob marciano is tracking it all. hey, rob. >> reporter: hi, david. while this heat wave has turned deadly, the more pressing concerns tonight are those storms rolling back into the flood zone and in the northeast where that tornado hit buffalo. we have a watch up for much of new york and now into new england for the next couple of hours and a flood watch for kentucky and west virginia. look at that cluster that just went through st. louis, they can't catch a break. that's what's going to stir more flash flooding. here's the rain into the weekend. south of that front, the midi continues. heren the west, it's dry, but

very hot. temperatures will be in the triple digits. excessive heat warnings into saturday. it will be triple digits through saturday, the heat not breaking here in portland, likely not until sunday or monday. david? >> rob marciano again this evening, thank you. we turn now to the other major news this thursday night, the new report out tonight raising fears of recession in the u.s. the nation's output of goods and services, the gdp, fell 0.9% in the past three months, the second quarter of decline in a row, which typically has been the definition of recession. but tonight, president biden pointing to other key factors, too, among them, the jobs numbers, saying this economy isn't an easy one to label right now. but whether it's officially a recession or not, rebecca jarvis tonight with families across the country are saying they're feeling this on everything they're paying for. >> reporter: tonight, whether you call it a recession or not, the u.s. economy is losing momentum at the same time american families are facing the highest inflation in a generation.

hitting those on fixed incomes, like retired nurse priscilla jordan especially hard. >> i feel like a recession is here. >> reporter: are you at the point where you're cutting back? where you have to pick and choose? >> i may look at a steak that i would normally treat myself to maybe once every two weeks. now it's once every two months >> reporter: from new jersey to kentucky. >> everything is going up, but my paycheck is not. >> reporter: kentucky single mom asia mabry saw her monthly rent soar from nearly $900 in may to over $1,200 in june -- a more than $300 difference, forcing her to move. >> i am now in one bedroom and i am paying more than i was with the two bedroom. >> reporter: the commerce department reporting today that from april to june, consumer spending slowed, business investment fell, and stores slowed their restocking of shelves. president biden taking an optimistic tone on the news. >> if you look at our job market, consumer spending, business investment, we see

signs of economic progress in the second quarter, as well. >> reporter: david, the national bureau of economic research is the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that officially declares when recessions begin and end here in the u.s. and they look at metrics including gdp, but also including things like unemployment and jobs, which have held up despite this record inflation. many economists tonight now forecasting a recession will begin towards the end of this year or early next. david? >> yeah, a lot of competing indicators, but really it's what americans are feeling at home. rebecca, thank you. we turn next tonight here to the big push on capitol hill tonight, democrats racing to pass that surprise breakthrough deal on climate. it would be the most ambitious climate undertaking in u.s. history. the bill would also lower prescription drug costs, health care costs, taxing the very rich and corporations to bring down the deficit. so, do they have the votes with joe manchin now onboard? rachel scott on the hill again tonight. >> reporter: today, senate democrats are rallying behind a

deal that would make the largest climate investment in u.s. history, provide tax credits for buying electric vehicles, and lower health care premiums for millions of americans. it came after a sudden reversal from moderate democratic senator joe manchin, who just days ago upended talks over concerns about inflation. but now, he's on board. >> i just felt there was an opportunity here to really give us an energy policy with security that we need for our nation. but also driving down the prices, the high price of gasoline, driving down inflation was my number one goal. >> reporter: the bill includes -- $369 billion to fight climate change. $64 billion to lower premiums for americans buying their own health insurance. medicare would be allowed to negotiate the price of prescription drugs, passing along the savings to consumers. and seniors would pay less for medication, with out of pocket expenses capped at $2,000. it would be paid for by raising taxes on big corporations and the wealthy. if the bill passes, it would be a huge victory for president biden, who today insisted it

would fight help fight inflation in a way americans will feel. >> but simply put, the bill will lower health care costs for millions of americans, and it will be the most important investment, not hyperbole, the most important investment we've ever mad in our energy security. >> reporter: but to pass, the bill needs the support of all 50 senate democrats. and tonight krysten sinema of arizona won't say if she's voting yes. do you back this deal? are you comfortable with the tax increases? >> excuse us, guys. >> reporter: have you spoken to the president about it? but after more than a year of stalled negotiations, the leader of the house progressives say they are onboard. >> i think we should get this done. the american people deserve it. we need to -- we need to show them that we can deliver. let's just get it done. >> all right, so, let's bring in rachel scott, and racrachel, th need every single democrat in the senate to vote yes. majority leader chuck schumer telling democrats in so many worlds to stay focused and so stay healthy.

>> reporter: yes, david, because schumer not only needs the support of all 50 democrats in the senate, he also needs them to be physically present here on capitol hill to vote on that legislation. as of now, senators joe manchin and dick durbin are recovering from covid-19. that could complicate the timeline for democrats. >> no votes over zoom. rachel scott tonight. rachel, thank you. in the meantime, we turn now to russia, responding tonight to the white house and that offer of a prisoner swap to bring home wnba star brittney griner and former marine paul whelan. russia's foreign minister saying he'll pay attention to the request for a phone call when his own schedule allows. here's our senior white house correspondent mary bruce. >> reporter: tonight, russia says there is no agreement yet on the white house's offer of a prisoner swap to bring wnba star brittney griner and former marine paul whelan back home. abc news confirming the white house offered an exchange for notorious russian arms dealer

victor bout, nicknamed the merchant of death. is there any concern that by going public with this offer now that you've showed your hand too soon? >> the president has been very clear about this, he wants to make sure that they come home. and he has made this a top priority. i don't want to go into details about that, you age, av ee notiate in public. >> reporter: the white house announced wednesday that an offer is on the table, but won't say if they are willing to negotiate further. whelan's twin brother, david, is hopeful. >> i think we were all taken by surprise. and it's nice also to know that the offers are being made. >> reporter: trevor reed -- who spent two years in russian custody and was released in a dramatic prisoner swap in april, the images seen around the world -- knows this process all too well. >> in these situations, you never know if that's going to work out until your feet are on u.s. soil. i would be cautiously optimistic, but i would be optimistic. about the chances of that

working out. >> reporter: now left out of the white house's proposed offer is detained american teacher mark foegle. he was sentenced to 14 years for drug charges similar to the charges against brittaney grine. david, i talked to foegle's lawyer today, he tells me he hopes foegle willing included in any exchange and hopes the u.s. government is doing everything it can to bring him home, too. david? >> all right, mary bruce, thank you. and mary, stick with us here for a moment, baz you know there's another story out of the white house tonight. president biden and chinese president xi speaking on the phone for more than two today. both sides reporting the talks were, quote, candid. but president xi warning the u.s. against, quote, playing with fire, by opposing china and supporting inte den fence for taiwan. now, all this comes as speaker nancy pelosi is planning a trip to asia with a delegation that may include a stop in taiwan, and mary, i know there has been some support for this visit from both democrats and republicans, this idea of visiting taiwan, but no support from the white house on this idea. >> reporter: david, this is

putting this administration in a really uncomfortable position. the white house says the speaker can determine her own travel, that the president isn't going to tell her what to do. but biden has previously said that the u.s. military doesn't think this is a good idea, and beijing has made it very clear, if the speaker pays an official visit to taiwan, they will view it as a provocation. the chinese warning the u.s. today, quote, playing with fire will set yourself on fire. davd? >> mary bruce on both stories tonight. mary, thank you. next to the monkeypox outbreak here in this country tonight. more than 4,600 cases reported, up from 100 just one month ago. and what authorities are now telling americans across this country. here's abc's janai norman tonight. >> reporter: tonight, health officials racing to contain a monkeypox outbreak are urging all americans to take the virus seriously. >> every american should pay attention on monkeypox. monkeypox is not covid, but it is contagious. it is painful and can be dangerous. >> reporter: the cdc now

reporting more than 4,600 cases. that number jumping from just 200 cases just a month ago. >> we know one of the main molds of exposure for this particular illness is through direct contact, close contact, skin to skin contact, possibly even face to face contact, exposure to droplets or virus that may be in the mouth. >> reporter: and while most people getting sick have been gay or bisexual men, doctors stress anyone can get it. two children have already been infected. and today, the cdc confirming a pregnant woman also contracted the virus. monkeypox can be passed to a fetus, but this woman's newborn was not infected. >> doesn't appear the virus was transmitted. and both mom and babe are doing well. >> reporter: and david, health officials say they'll have more than a million doses of the monkeypox vaccine in the coming weeks. this is health and human services weighs whether to declare this a public health emergency. david? >> janai, thank you. now to the growing number of

shark sightings and attacks here in the northeast. sharks closer to shore. so, tonight here, what's driving this? our chief meteorologist ginger zee off massachusetts tonight. >> reporter: with more than two dozen reported shark encounters along our coasts this summer, new england is now gearing up for its peak great white season. this is where the shark hunt begins. greg skomaland the atlantic white shark conservancy are on a mission to tag and track these creatures off the coast of cape cod. why are we seeing more sharks this season? >> the sharks are feeding close to shore. shark populations are coming back and we got lots and lots of people going in the water so, that just creates almost the perfect storm in terms of the potential for shark attacks. >> reporter: the northwest atlantic has warmed three times faster than the rest of the world's oceans, than the rest of the planet. >> right. >> water temperature have anything to do with the increase of shark encounter? >> for certain species, absolutely.

>> reporter: out on the water we see ten sharks in just four hours. wow, i see it. >> isn't that incredible? >> reporter: they use sonar to tell if the shark is tagged already. >> there we go. >> reporter: this big one, 3083. when a shark is detected, that real-time data is relayed to beach managers and lifeguards. >> so, within seconds, that lifeguard is getting a text, white shark somewhere in our swimming area. >> reporter: most sharks we saw were too low to tag until -- lucky number ten. got it! we got a tagged shark. with boston behind me, new england is well aware that they've got high shark numbers all the way through october. greg anticipates many beach closures. but he gave us one great tip, david, don't go in above your waist and sharks should not be interested. >> all right, that is a good tip, i know many are staying out altogether. ginger, thank you. when we come back here, a very emotional scene in front of the u.s. capitol. jon stewart blasting lawmakers for blocking a bill that would have helped america's ailing veterans. and then later tonight here,

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say they weren't being cared for. the team holding the tiny puppies. the veterinarians checking them out, their ears. anna, arthur, beth, betty, merlin, sam, and taylor, too. 80 dogs rescued in all from one week old to 12 years old. one word got out, the community asked how they could help, too. donating money and supplies, chris mitchell fosters five dogs in her home. and right here tonight -- >> hi, david. >> reporter: the society's executive director laurie c carlsson with news already. the first adoption, this chihuahua mix, c. >> cheryl's adopting car line here. >> reporter: the puppies, getting their shots, microchips, and medical attention. lawrie says all will survive. thankful for their volunteers and for the families welcoming these dogs into their forever homes. an incredible effort. let's find those dogs homes. good night. >> building a better bay area.

moving forward, finding solutions. this is abc7 news. >> bottom line is we need to stay out of this outbreak. monkeypox is not covid, but it is contagious. >> as monkeypox cases continue to grow, the biden administration weighs whether to declare a public health emergency. >> this as san francisco declares its own local public health emergency. thanks for joining us. karina: san francisco mayor london breed made the announcement of the public health emergency a short time ago on twitter. san francisco's local public health emergency will mobilize city resources, accelerate emergency planning, streamline staffing and more. dan: the board of supervisors must approve the emergency plan. the emergency would go into effect august 1. mayor breed will discuss this at 5:00. we will burn you that during a live news conference on -- bring you that during a live

news conference on abc7 news at 5:00. we have everything you need to know on monkeypox on abc7news.com. karina: happening now, bart's board of directors meeting will consider reinstating a mask mandate again. bart originally dropped its mandate after a judge dropped the federal transportation requirement, but it was reinstated in late april. if a new mandate is put into place, it would last until october 1. pres. biden: both chairman powell and many of the significant banking personnel and economists say we are not in a recession. >> one of the most critical 48 hours for the u.s. economy in recent memory. dan: one of the major developments in the u.s. economy, the commerce department reporting the gdp down for the second quarter in a row. that points toward a possible recession, but still has not been officially declared at this point. with inflation up