McConnell freezes, Idalia strikes the Carolinas, a mom's quintuplets birth story.

Start TODAY and Shop TODAY find the best fitness gear for you. August 31, 2023 | [VIEW IN BROWSER]( This is TODAY August 31, 2023 | [VIEW IN BROWSER]( This is TODAY Hurricane Idalia caused widespread flooding, power outages and wind damage as it moved through Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. Plus, a couple who welcomed quintuplets shared the frenzied moments surrounding their birth, and the inaugural Start TODAY x Shop TODAY Wellness Awards highlight the best athletic gear to help you reach your fitness goals. The Latest   [🌧️ Hurricane Idalia caused flooding, damage and power outages in Florida and now has moved over the Carolinas.]( About [300,000 people]( in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina remained without power early this morning due to Hurricane Idalia. The storm made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane in Florida's Big Bend region yesterday morning, flooding streets and damaging homes. Some Florida residents who rode out the storm described having to "[swim out of their windows](." Idalia hit South Carolina this morning and is expected to move east beyond the North Carolina coast later today. Flooding and heavy rainfall continue to cause life-threatening conditions in parts of eastern North Carolina, the National Hurricane Center warned. Idalia is likely to remain a tropical storm as it moves offshore today, the NHC said. Plus, TODAY weatherman Al Roker explained [why climate change]( is making hurricanes more severe. [Here's the latest](. [Sen. Mitch McConnell appeared to freeze again at a public event, renewing questions about his health.]( Senate Minority Leader [Mitch McConnell appeared to freeze again]( yesterday in front of a group of reporters in Kentucky, [halting for more than 30 seconds]( after he was asked if he would run for re-election. As McConnell stood motionless, an aide approached and asked, “Did you hear the question, senator?” McConnell muttered "yes," but continued staring straight ahead. Once he re-engaged, the 81-year-old briefly responded to two other questions and then left. "Leader McConnell felt momentarily lightheaded and paused during his press conference today," a spokesperson said. The episode came weeks after McConnell froze for 19 seconds at a press conference at the Capitol and was briefly escorted away. [Read more here](. [After years of infertility, a mom of rare quintuplets shared her unforgettable birth story.]( Stephanie Freels, 27, wasn't due to [give birth to quintuplets]( until Sept. 1. The babies had other plans, as she went into labor early on June 4, resulting in a delivery room crowded with surgeons, neonatologists, nurses and respiratory therapists at a Phoenix hospital. “I was petrified about the whole situation,” her husband, Graham, told us. Their four daughters — Adelyn, Eliana, Linnea, and Harper — and son, Fisher, were [each born weighing 2 pounds or less](. The couple, who struggled for five years to conceive, had to wait 76 days for their babies to be able to come home from the NICU. [Read their story here](. [👟 Start TODAY x Shop TODAY Wellness Awards: 16 winners for best athletic gear, sneakers and more.]( Start TODAY and Shop TODAY teamed up with fitness trainers and medical professionals for the first [Start TODAY x Shop TODAY Wellness Awards]( showcasing the very best in athletic clothing, sneakers, blenders, water bottles and more products to help you reach your fitness goals. You can [shop all 16 winners]( right now, starting as low as $7. The best of the best were whittled down from a list of more than 300 products our experts tested. Start TODAY   Achieve your life and health goals with easy tips. With dozens of fitness trackers to choose from, narrowing down the one that will fit your specific needs can be a chore. Our Shop TODAY team has done the work for you by speaking to experts about the [best fitness trackers and watches]( from brands like Garmin, FitBit and Oura. You can [shop 7 award-winning fitness trackers right here](, broken down by the best for everyday exercise, running, tracking sleep and more. Once you decide on one, use it to chart your progress in [our 31-day September fitness challenge](, which officially launches tomorrow. [Learn more here.]( What's for dinner?   Allow us to do the meal-planning for you. We know it's technically not even Labor Day weekend yet, but that doesn't mean you can't skip ahead and indulge in a cozy fall dinner. These [pork chops with brown butter-pumpkin sauce]( from chef Will Coleman are seasoned with five-spice powder, rosemary and sage. They're then simmered in an ultra savory sauce with butter that adds nuttiness and caramel flavor. [Get the recipe](. Daily Delight   A little pick-me-up before you go. It's back to school time for the Melvins! Craig and his wife, sports broadcaster Lindsay Czarniak, shared some adorable shots of [son Delano, 9, and daughter Sybil, 6, on their first day]( of fourth and first grade. As you can see, Del will be dragging some clunky footwear to class to start the year after a nasty sprain. "He hurt himself on Sunday and was limping so Lindsay took him to the doctor yesterday. And lo and behold, he has to wear a boot for three weeks. Nothing like starting the first day with a boot on your ankle," Craig said on TODAY. [See more sweet photos of Craig and his family here](.   Thanks for letting us in your inbox! See you again tomorrow morning. Written by Scott Stump | Edited by Philip Caulfield Want to refer a friend?[Subscribe here]( Send us Feedback Follow us on Facebook More TODAY Newsletters 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 [Manage Subscriptions]( | [Unsubscribe](listvar=sub_today) | [Privacy]( | [Contact]( [MANAGE SUBSCRIPTION]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE](listvar=sub_today) | [PRIVACY]( | [CONTACT](