17/09/2014 ABC World News Tonight with David Muir

Mike Embley is here with the day's news in 20 minutes. Time now for a

look at the news as seen across the United States a couple of hours ago

in ABC World News with David Muir. Welcome. We are in California for

the breaking news, millions of the south`west bracing for flash floods,

damaging winds, sending a train already off the line. The raging

fires with homes destroyed in California and thousands sent

running. We are here on the frontline. The manhunt under way.

The deadly ambush. State troopers targeted. This picture released.

Authorities say he is armed and dangerous. An American quiz, are we

in your hometown? What can withstand a truck and still fit in your

nightstand? Any guesses? Made in America.

Good evening. In California, we are dealing with record`breaking heat

and wildfires. Millions are bracing for dangerous flooding. In LA,

temperatures in triple digits. These images from Arizona. The threat of

flash flooding is growing. Millions want to play the tension to the

forecast because flooding can happen in minutes. The high wind at the

night, this freight train taken off the tracks. Our team is across the

weather zone and we begin in Arizona where they are preparing for the

fast moving floods. After hammering the Mexican coast

with 125 mph wind, Hurricane Odile is bringing monsoonal moisture,

sparking storms, the railing trains and ripping off roofs. Residents are

bracing for the storm. By Gerard flooded last time. Last week, record

rain turned his highway into a water filled graveyard of cars that make

my garage. This week, Odile, created twice as much rain. Some residents

here well looting local markets. Tens of thousands waiting to get out

of the resort areas. These friends rode out the storm at this hotel

near the airport. The airport is closed to commercial

flights but the women were flown out on a military plane today as the

Mexican government airlifted tourists out.

This road and the sandbags are this neighbourhood's last line of defence

against another raging flood. Ginger, first the floods, what are

we facing? We are on flood watch. You could see some six inches of

rain in the coming days. The remnants of the hurricane making

their way up. That will be into Thursday. Look at the moisture.

Phoenix makes it close to three inches. To give you some

perspective, usually you would have about 75% of an inch for September.

Already, 2.5 inches. In September, it could get up to 5.6. Thank you.

The other major weather story we are following, the record heat, the dry

conditions, and now this. At least 15 wildfires raging up and down the

west Coast. Evacuations under way, nearly 2000 families having to move.

Including these schoolchildren, covering their faces, struggling to

breathe. We can go to the front lines.

In just five hours, an entire community swallowed up by flames. A

community centre scorched. A school decimated. Holmes turned into ash.

That was his bed. Nothing left. This woman left her home at eight o'clock

in the morning. When she returned, it was gone. All of my son's Marine

medals were hair. Heavy winds sped up already fast

moving flames. Take a look at these streets. That is by a retired

one fire near Sacramento is bringing at least 11,000 acres. This fire

destroyed so much. Firefighters helping homeowners find what little

is left in the rubble. Home upon home burned to the ground. In one

neighbourhood, a dozen homes gone. Tonight, the country's top general

raising a controversial possibility. US troops in combat in

Iraq again. Keep us honest on this. Boots on the ground in Iraq, that is

not what the President said. One thing the President has been clear

about is there will be no US ground troops. We will not get dragged into

a ground war. But the Bush seemed open little between General Dempsey

said US troops could be embedded to help identify targets for

airstrikes. It all comes down to how you define combat. The White House

says those would not be considered combat troops. But that would be a

dangerous mission, no matter what it is called. Thank you. Now to the

other breaking news involving US troops. President Obama sending up

to 3000 American military to the hot zone in Africa to help fight the

deadly Ebola virus. He said it is spreading out of control. What if

the virus goes airborne? Could it come here? We go to the front lines

of West Africa. I saw first`hand doctors stretched

to the limit battling Ebola in west Africa. Today, President Obama

sounding the alarm. Sending 3000 American troops to the hot zone. It

is a potential threat to global security if these countries break

down. The American troops will build 17 health`care centres, training 500

health`care workers. We saw doctors with so little. This makeshift

clinic is a barebones operation. The final part is putting this would on.

They do not have hoods that are ready`made.

The longer the outbreak lasts, the greater chance that it could be set

to an airborne form. It could come to America in a global pandemic. We

spoke to a man who survived the deadly disease. We cannot think that

the Atlantic Ocean will protect us. With all the encouraging news I

heard, one thing is missing. The president says our troops will not

be treating Ebola patients. Who will? There are so few doctors in

west Africa right now. Now to that manhunt on the way

tonight for the gunman who ambushed two state troopers in Pennsylvania,

killing a young father. Officials are asking your will `` for your

help. We look at the search to track him

down before he kills again. Police are desperately hunting for

this man. He is at large and is considered armed and extremely

dangerous. Authorities say he is survivalist and an experienced

shooter. He has made statements about wanting to kill border

enforcement officers and also to commit mass acts of violence. One

officer killed and another seriously injured in Friday night's brazen

attack. Officials say they received a crucial tip from a local resident

about a car police said they found his driver 's

licence, camouflage a `` face paint and rifle casings. That can really

propel law`enforcement over. Police are hoping the public will help in

this massive manhunt. There is still much more ahead. One

of the most alarming dangers. Cars coming in the opposite direction and

caught on camera tonight, how one officer stopped a tragedy in the

nick of time. And the stunt pilot performing his big trick. You will

not believe what happens next. Next tonight, one of the most

dangerous things happening on the highway today. We will see one

officer stopping a tragedy in the making. A driver going the wrong

way, cars and children in the way. The bright lights are coming head

on. And apparently intoxicated driver going the wrong way down this

Texas highway. And watch what officers discover in the back seat

when they finally stopped the car. It is just the latest runway driver

caught on camera. This woman driving the wrong way for six miles, nearly

hitting a sheriff's deputy along the way. More than 1100 people dying

each year in runway crashes. When the accidents happen, they are

usually head on and much more likely to be fatal. If you see the light is

coming at you, is anything you can do? Stay out of the fast lanes. It

gives you the ability to move to the left. The real problem is alcohol.

40% of runway driver as were under the influence. An old problem, but

new solutions. From the simple, lights on the sign, to the

high`tech, reflectors showing red when you are going the wrong way.

Most of these drivers strike at night and during the weekend. That

is the advice. The especially alert during those times.

And a close show at an air show at what a mother. A plane goes into

freefall for five agonising seconds. The pilots running away with only

minor injuries. And American astronauts will soon be

getting a mate in America right into space. `` made. We were getting a

look inside. The modules that have been delivering supplies to the

International Space Station. Americans have been hitching a ride

with Russians since the retirement of the space shuttle ride three

years ago. And finally, made in America. We

have been to every corner of this country. This evening, a bright idea

that is still creating jobs. They say the Chinese try to steal it. But

a fabric maker who is shining his own spotlight on it.

Everybody lined up in Seattle. We are now pulling up the Ontario

California. We are in Southern California. The mountains in the

distance, inside this factory, a Mt overcome. Inventor of the Mac late.

An indestructible flashlight. He said he came up with the idea behind

this garaged tour, 60 years ago. This looks a lot different from

1955. This factory in California, every part labelled made in the USA.

Tonight, 85 countries around the world are buying it. 25 new hires

just this year. Many of the faces have been here for decades. 16

years. And listen to what Gloria told me. Still selling. This is the

best flashlight there is. She is still saying that after how many

years? 37 years. The company has had offers to make them elsewhere. Tony

has always said no. The biggest challenge came when Chinese

factories began copying him. He sued and he did something else. Piling up

all of the fakes and taking them out. Fighting and tonight driving

the next generation of flashlights. Every one of them polished. With

little from us. `` a little help. In the night that flashlight has three

words in mind. Made in America. I will see you tomorrow night.

For watching. Hello once again. I want to start

off by picking out one or two main themes that we are likely to see

repeated over the next few days, with regards to our weather right

across the British