Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live At Daybreak
Residents in Path of Isabel Preparing for Worst
Aired September 17, 2003 - 06:02 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: One resident in the path of this hurricane says he is preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.
Details on the preps now. Jeanne Meserve on the Virginia shoreline with that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In the face of Isabel: flight. One hundred thousand people on North Carolina's Outer Banks told to leave, as the governor declares a state of emergency.
GOV. MIKE EASLEY, NORTH CAROLINA: The storm has been downgraded to a category 2, but still, it's generating winds of 105-plus miles per hour. And we are anticipating rainfall now of up to eight inches in eastern North Carolina.
MESERVE: No mandatory evacuations in Virginia, but they're, too, concerned about the approaching wind and rain and storm surge.
MAYOR PAUL FRAIM, NORFOLK, VIRGINIA: In a big storm, even a Northeaster, we get water three feet deep in the street. You know, this area doesn't drain and it's low.
MESERVE: In flood-prone downtown Norfolk, sandbags are already being strategically placed.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The city has taken every reasonable step, every reasonable precaution.
MESERVE: The federal government, along with states and localities, continues to ramp up preparations for Isabel and her aftermath. Hospitals are making sure they're stocked up for a long haul.
MIKE POORE, DEPAUL MEDICAL CENTER: We have all of the supplies and everything that we need to be self-sustained for at least 72 hours.
MESERVE: As far north as Massachusetts, boats are being hauled out of the water.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We just made the decision to get ready for the storm just in case. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
MESERVE: In areas further south, some boat owners battled already turbulent surf to move to safer harbors, but others were just tying things down as best they could.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Quite frankly, we really don't have anywhere now to move to. It's a little too late. Everywhere is filled up.
MESERVE: But the approach of Isabel had its upside: a bounty of fish.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I believe the storm is pushing all of the fish inside.
MESERVE: Also lured to the shore: surfers. The water was a bit choppy for a competition Tuesday, but there were high hopes for the days ahead.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We pray for hurricanes.
MESERVE (on camera): Here in Virginia, officials watch and wait. At this point, it looks like Isabel, like so many hurricanes before her, may not live up to her advance billing. Said one official, "We keep getting dressed for the wedding, but never get married." He said that with relief.
Jeanne Meserve, CNN, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Aired September 17, 2003 - 06:02 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: One resident in the path of this hurricane says he is preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.
Details on the preps now. Jeanne Meserve on the Virginia shoreline with that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In the face of Isabel: flight. One hundred thousand people on North Carolina's Outer Banks told to leave, as the governor declares a state of emergency.
GOV. MIKE EASLEY, NORTH CAROLINA: The storm has been downgraded to a category 2, but still, it's generating winds of 105-plus miles per hour. And we are anticipating rainfall now of up to eight inches in eastern North Carolina.
MESERVE: No mandatory evacuations in Virginia, but they're, too, concerned about the approaching wind and rain and storm surge.
MAYOR PAUL FRAIM, NORFOLK, VIRGINIA: In a big storm, even a Northeaster, we get water three feet deep in the street. You know, this area doesn't drain and it's low.
MESERVE: In flood-prone downtown Norfolk, sandbags are already being strategically placed.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The city has taken every reasonable step, every reasonable precaution.
MESERVE: The federal government, along with states and localities, continues to ramp up preparations for Isabel and her aftermath. Hospitals are making sure they're stocked up for a long haul.
MIKE POORE, DEPAUL MEDICAL CENTER: We have all of the supplies and everything that we need to be self-sustained for at least 72 hours.
MESERVE: As far north as Massachusetts, boats are being hauled out of the water.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We just made the decision to get ready for the storm just in case. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
MESERVE: In areas further south, some boat owners battled already turbulent surf to move to safer harbors, but others were just tying things down as best they could.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Quite frankly, we really don't have anywhere now to move to. It's a little too late. Everywhere is filled up.
MESERVE: But the approach of Isabel had its upside: a bounty of fish.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I believe the storm is pushing all of the fish inside.
MESERVE: Also lured to the shore: surfers. The water was a bit choppy for a competition Tuesday, but there were high hopes for the days ahead.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We pray for hurricanes.
MESERVE (on camera): Here in Virginia, officials watch and wait. At this point, it looks like Isabel, like so many hurricanes before her, may not live up to her advance billing. Said one official, "We keep getting dressed for the wedding, but never get married." He said that with relief.
Jeanne Meserve, CNN, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
