Good morning. President Biden heads to storm ravaged Louisiana today to tour the damage caused by Hurricane Ida.

He's promising government assistance to states hit by the storm.

That includes the Northeast where historic flooding has claimed dozens of lives.

The question is, when will we know the true toll of Hurricane Ida?

Plus, President Biden launches a

new effort to protect abortion rights following the Supreme Court's refusal to block a

controversial Texas law. The question is, what about other states that are considering

similar measures? And after an 18-month shutdown, musical theater is returning to Broadway. But with COVID concerns taking

center stage, the question is, how are theaters keeping audience members safe? It is way too early for this.

Good morning again, everybody.

Welcome to Way Too Early, the show that sings show tunes on the way to work, swear to God.

I'm Jacob Soberoff on this Friday, September 3rd, and we're going to start with the news.

We begin with the historic and deadly flooding across the northeast in the wake of Hurricane Ida.

The storm's being blamed for at least 42 deaths in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.

The toll climbs even higher to 58 when you factor in the weather-related fatalities

in states across the south where the storm first made landfall.

In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio says at least 13 people died in

flooding incidents. 23 people were killed in New Jersey. And in Connecticut, a state trooper,

Sergeant Brian Mole, died after his cruiser was swept away in floodwaters. NBC News correspondent

Stephanie Gosk has more on the storm's

impact. Half the town is currently underwater. In the light of day, the storm damage on display.

The danger far from over. Water kept rising, the stranded rescued by helicopter. In the Marinac,

...