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CNN Live Today
Storms Hit Midwest, Mid-Atlantic
Aired January 26, 2004 - 10:00 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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's begin with the bitter shivering cold, shall we? Freezing rain, sleet and heavy snow -- that is what several states across the Mid-Atlantic and the Midwest are seeing today, as winter storms continue to sweep across the region.
In North Carolina, New Jersey, all points in between, schools are closed, roads are slick and a lot of airlines have cancelled flights.
Our Elaine Quijano is braving the cold. She is out in it in Washington, D.C.
Elaine -- good morning.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Daryn.
Well, sloppy and slow, but not shut down. That is the story here out of the nation's capital. The federal government is open. Liberal leave is in effect, though, today. And with the four inches of snow on the ground here on the National Mall, as you can imagine, it has made for a messy morning commute.
Now, one person who had to go to work today, commuting today, over at the White House, President Bush actually taking some time to enjoy the weather, having a little fun there out on the South Lawn before making his way over to Little Rock this morning.
But in the Carolinas, a much more serious situation there, a different picture, with ice and snow there making roads quite slick. The governor of North Carolina has declared a state of emergency. About 50 National Guard soldiers in that state are being called in. They're being told to be on standby if nursing homes or hospitals in North Carolina lose power -- some treacherous conditions down there.
Meantime back here in the Mid-Atlantic states, you know, Washingtonians don't always have the best reputation for handling the snow well. This time, however, many appear to be taking the snow in stride. In fact, many people are out and about today. Some people are actually taking the opportunity to get in some cross-country skiing, as I said, taking advantage of the few inches of snow that have fallen here.
Now, the story, we are told, will continue. Later today, forecasters in the Mid-Atlantic states are call for freezing rain and sleet, to make the conditions here, which are already messy, even worse. That is what forecasters are now keeping their eye on as the system moves through -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Just a little bit of relief in terms of it wasn't quite as bad as it was expected to be -- Elaine?
QUIJANO: Oh, absolutely, Daryn, because at one point yesterday, forecasters were saying there could have been up to eight inches here in the District. And, you know, that's something that they are seeing in the outlying areas. We don't want to downplay it too much.
But here in the nation's capital itself, you know, a big indicator is whether or not the Metro Rail service is up and running, and it is today. It's up and running. So, many of the federal employees -- although the government offices are open and they have the option of staying home if they want -- they are able to make their way around. And certainly, we've seen people out and about trudging through the snow very slowly, but certainly still being able to get to their destinations today. The roads are very much passable this morning -- Daryn.
KAGAN: All right, Elaine, we'll let you get to a little bit warmer destination for just a little bit. We will be checking back with you. Thank you for that.
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 January 26, 2004 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's begin with the bitter shivering cold, shall we? Freezing rain, sleet and heavy snow -- that is what several states across the Mid-Atlantic and the Midwest are seeing today, as winter storms continue to sweep across the region.
In North Carolina, New Jersey, all points in between, schools are closed, roads are slick and a lot of airlines have cancelled flights.
Our Elaine Quijano is braving the cold. She is out in it in Washington, D.C.
Elaine -- good morning.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Daryn.
Well, sloppy and slow, but not shut down. That is the story here out of the nation's capital. The federal government is open. Liberal leave is in effect, though, today. And with the four inches of snow on the ground here on the National Mall, as you can imagine, it has made for a messy morning commute.
Now, one person who had to go to work today, commuting today, over at the White House, President Bush actually taking some time to enjoy the weather, having a little fun there out on the South Lawn before making his way over to Little Rock this morning.
But in the Carolinas, a much more serious situation there, a different picture, with ice and snow there making roads quite slick. The governor of North Carolina has declared a state of emergency. About 50 National Guard soldiers in that state are being called in. They're being told to be on standby if nursing homes or hospitals in North Carolina lose power -- some treacherous conditions down there.
Meantime back here in the Mid-Atlantic states, you know, Washingtonians don't always have the best reputation for handling the snow well. This time, however, many appear to be taking the snow in stride. In fact, many people are out and about today. Some people are actually taking the opportunity to get in some cross-country skiing, as I said, taking advantage of the few inches of snow that have fallen here.
Now, the story, we are told, will continue. Later today, forecasters in the Mid-Atlantic states are call for freezing rain and sleet, to make the conditions here, which are already messy, even worse. That is what forecasters are now keeping their eye on as the system moves through -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Just a little bit of relief in terms of it wasn't quite as bad as it was expected to be -- Elaine?
QUIJANO: Oh, absolutely, Daryn, because at one point yesterday, forecasters were saying there could have been up to eight inches here in the District. And, you know, that's something that they are seeing in the outlying areas. We don't want to downplay it too much.
But here in the nation's capital itself, you know, a big indicator is whether or not the Metro Rail service is up and running, and it is today. It's up and running. So, many of the federal employees -- although the government offices are open and they have the option of staying home if they want -- they are able to make their way around. And certainly, we've seen people out and about trudging through the snow very slowly, but certainly still being able to get to their destinations today. The roads are very much passable this morning -- Daryn.
KAGAN: All right, Elaine, we'll let you get to a little bit warmer destination for just a little bit. We will be checking back with you. Thank you for that.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
