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At Least 14 Deaths Linked to Storm Nationwide; Interview with Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey; "Des Moines Register" Endorses Clinton, Rubio. Aired 7-80p ET
Aired January 23, 2016 - 19:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.
POPPY HARLOW, CNN ANCHOR: Seven o'clock Eastern, thank you so much for being with us. I'm Poppy Harlow in New York on the breaking news.
[19:00:02] This winter storm pummeling much of the nation, leaving misery in its wake. Fourteen people have now died as a result of the storm.
Wicked weather up and down the Eastern Seaboard, blizzard conditions from the Carolinas through New York City, up through New Jersey. Nearly three feet of snow accumulating in Washington, D.C. and parts of Maryland. About 200,000 people without power across 13 states. The heavy flooding in New Jersey is on those coastal towns on the Jersey shore where there is major concern right now as high tide rolls in.
And in New York City, a complete travel ban is in effect. Something we very rarely see here. No cars, no taxis, no city buses. Only police ambulances and emergency vehicles allowed. In New York City, that travel ban in effect the roads essentially cleared. All tunnels and bridges in the city have been shut down. The NYPD is stopping any vehicles that are on the road. You can see it there, sending them home to safety. That is what we're dealing with right now in New York City.
On the jersey shore, they are dealing with heavy flooding. More than 50 people already pushed out of their homes as water pours into neighborhoods across New Jersey, 50,000 homes without power. That number expected to rise because of the relentless heavy, wet snow and very high winds.
Jason Carroll live for us in New York City, in the West Village. Brian Stelter roving through Lower Manhattan.
Jason Carroll, let me go to you first. I know throughout the day, you have seen a lot of people out and about. And now, there is no one behind you. Well, one person.
JASON CARROLL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: One person, and a lot of mounds behind me too. How is it going, guys? And a lot of mounds. These huge mounds you see behind me of drifting snow. Beneath those mounds are buried cars, Poppy. And this is what we have been seeing all around driving through the streets of Manhattan, very slowly, safely, Hell's Kitchen, the neighborhood surrounding Central Park, uptown and now, downtown here, in the West Village, it's going to be a big dig. That will be the story for tomorrow.
But also, the story is about what's happening out here tonight. A number of people have been getting out of their homes just to stretch their legs. Joining me now, one family here in the West Village.
Tell me, how did you ride out the storm? What did you decide to do?
UNIDENTIFEID FEMALE: Oh, we just hung out -- hung out in our house, shoveled, ate, and came out for a walk.
CARROLL: Now, how was it in terms of when you say ate, did you eat out or did you eat in, first of all?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, we ate in.
CARROLL: Ate in? So you got your supplies, you got your food, did what you needed to do.
The reason why I ask that, Poppy, during our last live report in uptown we were at Hell's Kitchen. A number of people up there didn't buy supplies. Fortunately, there were restaurants that were open.
We haven't seen much open down here. Just a few restaurants here and there. Is that what you're experiencing?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I own a shop on Sullivan Street called Local. We were open until we got the shutdown notices and had enough time for people to get home.
CARROLL: And how was that? Because, you know, when the mayor announced there was going to be a travel ban and 2:30 was that sort of deadline, were you able to get the employees out? Were they able to get home on time?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, we were.
CARROLL: And I'm just curious. What are your thoughts on the city's response, how the city responded to the --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think they did a good job.
CARROLL: Did a good job.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
CARROLL: All right. Well, you guys do have fun on your little walk tonight. Stay safe. Walk slowly, because it is slippery out here. Be well.
So, again, Poppy, as we have been driving through the city here, that's what we have been seeing -- people just sort of coming out, doing what they can to enjoy the blizzard. The blizzard, though, we should point out, not over. We are expecting the snow to stop, you know, about three hours or so from now. But for now, people are getting out and enjoying themselves. Tomorrow, the story is going to be the big dig -- Poppy.
HARLOW: As it always is. Jason Carroll, stay safe out there. Thank you so much for that.
I want to go now to our Brian Stelter. He also joins us in Lower Manhattan.
Brian, you were on the roads earlier today seeing almost no vehicles, which is a great thing. What do you see now?
BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: Well, I'm making new friends, poppy. We stopped by the dog park in Lower Manhattan, Battery Park, meeting some of the four-legged friends. They have no choice but to be out over here.
What's your name?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mary.
STELTER: And your dog is Callie over here?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Callie.
STELTER: Maybe she'll come over and join us. Maybe not.
You were telling me this Callie's first snowfall.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It is. She is 1 years old as of two days ago.
STELTER: Tell me the truth, on a day like today, don't you sort of dislike having a dog, having to come out every few hours?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's a love/hate relationship. I mean, I have been out maybe four times today. She needs it. When you've got to go, you've got to go.
STELTER: That is true. This is a much bigger, stronger storm than we were expecting. So, I'm sure she's enjoying it. She is running around here. Several dogs as well. Thank you very much for your time.
You know, we came out in this location because we have this great view of the World Trade Center. Because of reduced visibilities, you can barely see the top of the building, just a short drive away.
We have been driving on the streets of Manhattan all afternoon long. And, by and large, this travel ban is being respected with the exception of journalists like us are out there looking around. With a few taxis, a few rogue taxis out here, it has been very much in effect.
If you open Uber app, you can't get a car. It is very much a lockdown, and except for pedestrian, a very few out there.
We can turn the camera around and show you just however big these drifts are in some cases. Look at some of the tops of the cars, how much snow is on the tops. And we do have a couple of plows. It is a majestic snowfall. If you're a snow lover, this is a storm you're not going to forget for a long time.
But then, of course, there is the flip side, and that is for a 200- mile area from north of New York all the way down to Washington, past Washington where Nick Valencia is, there are also life threatening conditions.
So, I think in some way, it is very much a two-sided story, right? There is a very positive story. These dogs may be loving it. But there are also some risks.
We have been reading about ambulances and fire equipment that's been stuck in various places the last few hours. When the wind picks up, it is brutal, nothing short of brutal in these conditions.
Now, there is a heavy snow band. A snow burst. We will see it for several more hours. By midnight maybe it starts to pull out -- Poppy.
HARLOW: Brian, thank you so much for that.
I want to go to our meteorologist Jennifer Gray. She's in Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C. That's pretty close to the White House.
Nick Valencia, across the Potomac River, in Fairfax, Virginia.
Jennifer, to you first. How many more hours can we expect these conditions? I mean, it looks so much better where you are now than it was a few hours ago. I wonder if the heavy winds are headed up here to New York and New Jersey.
JENNIFER GRAY, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Well, we are finally starting to taper off in the D.C. area. But I do think we have another band or two of heavy snowfall before it is all said and done. So, I would say it's going to be snowing here at least through the midnight hour and tapering off quickly after that.
Every now and then, you'll get one of the gusts, there it is like that. Luckily, things have been better overall the last hour. This is 14th Street right behind me. It has been regularly plowed. A couple of cars have gone by there.
Pennsylvania Avenue, not a chance. There's about a foot of snow over Pennsylvania Avenue, which is crazy considering this is the nation's capital. We haven't even been able to see the Capitol or the White House because visibility has been so low. In fact, snowfall rates here in the area have been unbelievable, one to two inches per hour, some areas even higher.
And we had a total of 26.5 inches at Dulles Airport. Reagan, 17.5. That puts it the fifth snowiest snowstorm of all time. And snow is still falling. So, that could move up. Interestingly enough, the mayor was out earlier saying stay off the
roads. The emergency crews and plows really need to get the streets cleared. They have no idea when the city will be back and running. It depends on how long it takes to clear all of the streets.
They also urge residents do not go out and shovel your driveway unless you are able. They do have a Web site you can go to. If you aren't able, you need help, it's called snow.dc.gov, where they are listing volunteers.
So, if you want to volunteer to help a neighbor out, you can do that, which is really nice around the city.
So, Poppy, not over yet. This started yesterday at 1:00 in the afternoon. And it has been snowing consistently since then. Like you said earlier, some points, one to two inches per hour. Even more.
So, we're in this for another couple of hours, Poppy.
HARLOW: No question about it. We'll be covering it live all the way through.
Jennifer Gray, thank you so much.
Nick Valencia, you're over the river in Virginia. They have had three deaths as a result of the storm. What are you seeing?
NICK VALENCIA, CNN C ORRESPONDENT: Talk about consistent snowfall. It's been 31 straight hours. If you can wrap your mind around that, of consistent snowfall, and that drift picking up, that wind picking up, I should say, creating snowdrifts that we have seen as high as six feet tall.
The snow accumulating and really at times coming down pretty heavy if you want to follow me along. You can see as I turn my back to the camera how deep I fall into the snow. This fresh powder.
Officials are worried about road conditions. We haven't seen too many people behind us in ordinary vehicles. The majority of vehicles are part of emergency crews. But that hasn't even helped some of them. We saw earlier this afternoon an emergency vehicle disabled as they tried to bank around and make a U-turn, as they were treating this thoroughfare here. They got stuck in it.
Other snowplow drivers describing it as the worst conditions they have ever seen, which really says a lot, because remember in 2010 this area got pounded by snow. They called that snowmageddon six years ago here. This really lives up to those expectations.
[19:10:02] People here that are accustomed to this type of weather, even saying that it's bothersome to them. The good news in all of this, we have been talking about this. People are really paying attention, heeding the warning, staying inside, being with family, friends, that have you.
We did a little while ago see two young men walking alongside this thoroughfare on their way to 7-Eleven. They got bored and wanted to go get some snacks. Not the most recommended or perhaps wise thing to do.
Local officials here are really concerned with dealing with disabled vehicles. There have been 60 of those throughout the day. Some major traffic accidents. A couple of those. Majority of them small fender benders.
But as Jennifer Gray was talking just across the river in D.C., it has been relentless and will continue to be so. Just to check the weather forecast, it says that the snow will not stop falling until 2:00 a.m. tomorrow morning -- Poppy.
HARLOW: All right. Nick Valencia, thank you so much for braving it all. Thirty-one straight hours of snowfall. And it is not over yet. Thank you, Nick.
Much more on breaking news on this blizzard hammering the East Coast in a moment.
Also, a lot of politics to get to. Crunch time in Iowa. Nine days to go before the caucuses. Tonight, the state's most influential paper on this program, breaking news of who it is endorsing on both sides. We will get reaction from the presidential campaign, after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARLOW: The storms fierce winds are pushing water into the towns all along the Jersey shore, causing severe flooding. This is a confluence of events. We're talking about high tide, the height of the storm and full moon tonight. More than 50 people driven from their homes in Atlantic City.
New Jersey governor, Republican presidential candidate, Chris Christie, joins me on the phone.
Governor, thank you so much for being with us.
What an incredibly busy time for you and your entire team. What's -- what's the severity of the risk of the flooding at this hour?
GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE (R-NJ), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE (via telephone): Well, Poppy, in the very -- both southern part of our state, Cape May County and towns like Sea Isle City, Stone Harbor and Avalon, we do have some flooding. Now, it is flooding that is not yet causing mandatory evacuations. In a lot of those towns, they have lost power.
So, what we want to make sure folks who have lost their power don't stay in their homes. They either go to the home of a family or friend so that they can stay warm tonight.
[19:15:03] Or we have been evacuating some folks as needed to local hotels that have generators so people can stay warm and can get fed tonight. We have been on the phone with the mayor of Stone Harbor at one of the bigger resort towns down there. She's sheltering in a hotel herself right now that has a generator in it and she said that all is calm and that people are doing well and they're moving senior citizens to those places to make sure they're warm tonight.
HARLOW: Governor, you said earlier today that you were extremely upset with some of the towns, including Margate there right near Atlantic City, Point Pleasant, for some of those who have opposed building these dunes, dunes that you think would make a huge difference at a moment like this. Tell me more.
CHRISTIE: Well, listen, we have been working since Superstorm Sandy, three years ago. So, for instance, in a place like Northern Ocean County, Point Pleasant Beach and Bay Head, there are literally now 168 people out of thousands of people in that area who are holding up the entire project. In Margate, it's even smaller numbers.
And you saw the water and the ice moving through the streets of Margate today that obviously the wall they have there which they say it is enough to help people is simply not enough. And so, it is upsetting to me because I don't want to see people hurt. I don't want to see property ruin. And we've had Hurricane Sandy, we've had this experience. And I just simply don't understand why people put their own personal interests ahead of the interests of their community and ahead of safety and security of their neighbors.
HARLOW: We are watching, Governor, as I'm talking to you, chunks of ice floating down earlier today, floating down the roads that are completely flooded in Margate, for example. Do you have the resources you need in New Jersey? I know the National Guard has been called in. Do you have what you need to keep this under control?
CHRISTIE: We do. The National Guard has been called in for the southern part of the state. We send a number of high water vehicles there to be able to move people if we need to. State police moved their urban search and rescue and swift water teams there, if there are people who need to be moved from their homes and local law enforcement can't handle.
And so, we know we have the resources there we need, and we know that our national guards men and women are ready at a moment's notice to be called up and helped. They're some of the true heroes from Hurricane Sandy three years ago, and we'll be able to do it now.
The great thing about this, though, is this. If you think about the fact that right now we only have about 63,000 people in New Jersey without power at the moment. That is down from over 100,000 earlier today. The utilities are working hard to get this power, the power restored quickly. We have lowered it by a third so far.
And so, by tomorrow, when the weather is better, Poppy, I think we will be able to make real headway on it.
HARLOW: I covered Hurricane Sandy and saw the incredible response from average citizens coming out to help. There is a time to do that and there is a time to stay hunkered down at home. What do you say to the people watching who say I want to go out and I want to help these folks. Should they at this point?
CHRISTIE: I say, let that emotion happen for you tomorrow, not tonight. In the northern part of the state, near New York City, the snow is still coming down very hard, where I live, and I just arrived home a little while ago in Morris County, we have over 18 inches of snow.
We don't want people moving around tonight. We want the roads to be cleared for the plows for any emergency vehicles. The way you can help, folks is if you know -- check on your friends and family who are in the affected areas. If they need a place to shelter, invite them to your home, feed them tonight, keep them warm tonight.
If you need local law enforcement to help you, you know, we can get people moved into those places where they can be sheltered.
HARLOW: Absolutely. Governor Chris Christie, appreciate your time. Obviously, the governor taking a break from the campaign trail, coming back from New Hampshire, going through New Jersey, staying on this with us. Appreciate you filling us in.
I do want -- a programming note, the governor will join Jake Tapper tomorrow morning on "STATE OF THE UNION" to talk about the impacts of the storm once it subsides and the politics and the latest from the campaign trail in this 2016 race.
Governor Christie, our best to the people of New Jersey
Updating you also on our braking political news: Iowa's flagship newspaper, "The Des Moines Register" just tonight announcing its endorsements for the 2016 presidential race, nine days ahead of these critical Iowa caucuses. On the Democratic side, they are throwing their support behind Hillary Clinton. On the Republican side, they are supporting Senator Marco Rubio.
Let's go straight to Jeff Zeleny, our senior Washington correspondent.
Jeff, it's interesting because Rubio is in almost all the polls, including CNN/ORC's latest poll this week, Rubio is third. Pretty far behind Trump and Cruz in Iowa.
What do you make of the paper backing him?
JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Poppy, news paper endorsements are based on ideas and policies, not polls. So, I'm not surprised by either of these tonight. Both Hillary Clinton and Marco Rubio on their respective sides are the choice of the establishment. But this is a non-establishment election cycle. That's why endorsements have to be viewed in that lens.
If you look at both of the endorsements, Hillary Clinton is exactly the argument she's making. She's the establishment candidate. She's the experienced candidate. She knows exactly how to do the job.
And Marco Rubio is the future face of this Republican Party. He represents a different brand of Republican. But the question is, are voters going to be in the mood for this type of establishment plays on both sides? But without question, everyone usually wants an endorsement but they
have limited value. And in this cycle, I think they probably have even less value than in previous cycles, Poppy.
HARLOW: And let's talk about the fact that Hillary Clinton gets this key endorsement right after CNN poll this week shows her eight points behind sanders in Iowa. Does this move the needle?
ZELENY: Sure. I think it absolutely reminds voters, reminds, you know, these core Democrats, that to take a look at her experience. That's exactly the argument she's making. I'm in Clinton this afternoon, it's -- or this evening, it's in eastern Iowa town in Mississippi River.
Both she and Bernie Sanders are dueling rallies. He had more energy, more enthusiasm at his event. But she, of course, has those committed core caucus-goers, those Democrats who will turn out for her. So, I think it definitely helps her. It shows that, you know, she is the establishment candidate but the experienced candidate.
But the question still is, you know, some of these younger voters don't read newspapers and they do not sort of accept the view from the establishment here. So, it definitely is a step in the right direction for her. She's not had a good week here. So, it definitely ends the week on a much stronger note for her. And, you know, she is certainly happy about this, no question about it, Poppy.
HARLOW: Jeff Zeleny, live for us in Des Moines. Obviously, this is just two days ahead of a big CNN town hall with all three Democratic candidates. That is Monday night hosted by Chris Cuomo. The last time you will hear from them altogether before the Iowa caucuses. Thank you so much, Jeff Zeleny.
I want to go now to Katrina Pierson. She's the national spokesperson for Donald Trump's campaign.
Thank you for being with me.
KATRINA PIERSON, DONALD TRUMP CAMPAIGN: Hi, Poppy. Great to be here.
HARLOW: What is your reaction to "The Des Moines Register", the night on this program breaking the news? They're backing Marco Rubio.
PIERSON: Well, I'm sure everyone can agree there is no love lost between Mr. Trump and "The Des Moines Register". They had a public falling out.
But, again, this is no surprise. Just as your colleague mentioned, endorsements particularly from establishment newspapers really aren't much. Just like the endorsements from establishment politicians. But I will say it is very telling that "The Des Moines Register" picked Hillary Clinton and Marco Rubio, which is big for the grassroots of Iowa.
HARLOW: I want to get your reaction to some comments that Donald Trump made today in Iowa. Let's listen. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: My people are so smart. You know what else they say about my people, the polls. They say I have the most local people. Do you ever see that? I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose any voters, OK? It's like incredible.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HARLOW: Those words obviously rubbing some people in a tough way. Him saying I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot someone. Why use those words?
PIERSON: I think Mr. Trump has always been off the cuff. Of course people are going to be talking about what he says. They talk about everything that he says, whether it's made (ph) in a harsh way or not.
HARLOW: Yes, but this is different than off the cuff, wouldn't you say?
PIERSON: No, not at all. He's very candid. He's not scripted. He engages with the audience.
He always tells jokes. He plays with the audience. That's exactly what happened today.
HARLOW: All right. So that was a joke?
PIERSON: Well, he was playing around with the audience. Obviously he's not saying he's going to shoot somebody. It was in the discussion of loyalty and voters and repeated what somebody else mentioned to him earlier.
HARLOW: All right. I want to get your take on reporting out of "The New York Times" and sources telling CNN that former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is seriously, Katrina, at this point considering an independent run for president. And he said, according to a source, that would be the case if it looks like Ted Cruz or Donald Trump will face Bernie Sanders in a general election. Meaning he wouldn't do it against Hillary Clinton as a Democratic candidate on the side.
What's your reaction to this?
PIERSON: Well, I think, you know, we hear a lot of talk about this. It is way too early to see what's going to happen. I'm pretty confident that Donald Trump is going to win Iowa and going to be the GOP nominee. We're just not sure what's going to happen with Hillary Clinton. I don't really think that Bloomberg getting in the race hurts Donald Trump candidacy. If anything else, it helps fuel it, because Donald Trump has pro-economy, pro-growth and pro-prosperity policy positions, and Bloomberg just is not.
Everyone is New York is complaining about the state of New York as far as taxes, as far as jobs, as far as regulations even. So, I really don't think it's going to do too much to hurt Donald Trump.
HARLOW: You're not concerned at all, even if Bloomberg does. I mean, he said, according to his sources, he'd spend a billion dollars of his own money on his own campaign. Not concerned that would take votes away as often a third party candidate does?
PIERSON: No, I don't think so. We're in a very different political paradigm today. I think a lot of voters have been paying attention for a lot longer than they have in cycles of the past.
And we've seen Jeb Bush spent $60 million and he is still at the bottom of the polls. I really don't think it's about money this cycle. I think it's about your personality, your character, your policy positions and your visions for the country. Voters are very smart today.
HARLOW: Katrina Pierson, national spokeswoman for the campaign, the Trump campaign -- appreciate you being with me tonight. Thank you.
PIERSON: Thank you.
HARLOW: Much more on breaking news ahead. I'm going to take you live to Baltimore. Really feeling this winter storm, 500 members of the National Guard deployed in Baltimore, as you look at live pictures from our affiliate WBAL. We'll be back in just a minute.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARLOW: You're looking at live pictures of Baltimore. It is in the direct path of this blizzard right now. Five hundred members of the National Guard mobilized across Maryland to assist with those emergency calls, et cetera, especially in those rural areas.
Our Miguel Marquez has been in the thick of this storm in Baltimore all day long. Incredibly windy, my friend. Is it getting any better?
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It is maybe just a tad better. This storm has gone from unrelenting to just unforgiving. The wind is whipping. The snow may be letting up just a little bit.
I'm standing anything a four-foot drift. This would be normal if it were Colorado at 8,000 feet at a ski valley. Unbelievable amounts of snow here the last 24 hours. They may be breaking records.
[19:30:00] The last time they had snow this big, 2003. They had 26.9 inches of snow. That was a record. Already unofficial weather service counts are at about 24 inches in the city. They are calling for 36 inches. That's three feet at elevations of 1,200 feet or more in Maryland. They came out with a new survey a short time ago indicating that there may be as much as 48 inches, four feet of snow in some parts of western Maryland.
The mayor here in Baltimore has called for a phase three emergency, which means that they are banning all cars now off the street. Four wheel drives are getting stuck. Some of those humvees from the national Gurad are getting stuck. They want only emergency vehicles on the streets. They have had some house fires. Fire engines having a hard time getting there. (INAUDIBLE) everybody off the streets, hunkering down and hoping this thing stops soon. It looks like in the next few hours, finally the storm has been churning over Baltimore and much of the east coast, will finally move out. Poppy.
HARLOW: But what about tomorrow, Miguel? I mean, the aftermath, right? The cleanup, the big dig, if you will. This is heavy, heavy wet snow.
MARQUEZ: This is the concern. Looking ahead, there is not a day above freezing for the next couple of days. So we're looking at this snow being here, it's going to get harder and harder for them to move the snow, to get roads open. They can get those emergency routes open through town because they have plows going constantly. But the side streets here - they're a mess. It's going to take days perhaps even as long as a week for some places to dig out. Poppy.
HARLOW: Miguel Marquez, thank you so much. Not only to you, to your producer, to the camera man holding that heavy camera in all the snow, we thank you all, live for us from Baltimore.
We're going to take a quick break. On the other side, an update on the entire east coast, this blizzard from Georgia through New Jersey. 11 states affected. 14 deaths thus far. 9,000 flights cancelled. 200,000 Americans without power tonight. Much more, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[19:35:15]
HARLOW: Those are live pictures of New York City's Columbus Circle, the only vehicles on the roads right now are those emergency vehicles first responders in the midst of what has become a historic storm not only in New York City but up and down the east coast.
We have just learned this storm is the third largest recorded snowfall event in New York City history. Again, the third largest recorded snowfall in New York City history. The blizzard hitting cities along the east coast. It is making life miserable for millions of people right now. A travel ban is in effect. Anyone on the streets, drivers are told they have to stay off the streets. You've got police officers stopping any vehicle, sending them home.
Also this evening, another 700 National Guard troops could be activated within hours in New York and New Jersey, adding to the 2,300 already working trying to deal with the serious conditions. Coastal flooding in New Jersey and concern about it in New York. At least 14 people have died in connection with the storm. Our Karen Maginnis is in Atlanta. She joins me from the severe weather center.
What are we looking at in terms of when this may pare back, when it may die down?
KAREN MAGINNIS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Well, I have just been looking at the radar. From what we can tell, there's still a couple of pretty good bands that are expected to move in. This system is still going to produce, a big snow producer over the next five hours. We'll start to see things taper off but we'll still look at the gusty winds all along the coast because this is such a deep area of low pressure. Even though it moves away, we still got those strong winds coming in out of the northeast.
I want to show this. Here's New York City. There's Philadelphia. Further south, Baltimore. We have seen near record snowfall totals, certainly top five snowfall totals. I want to mention one other thing. Here's the coast of New Jersey. Toms River. We have Asbury Park to the north. Cape May to the south. And then in between is Sea Isle. Now, a lot of people go here to vacation. It's a lot of fun. However, this is because we have seen this lunar tide. We've seen this monster storm, the winds come in off the ocean and we see this lowland flooding taking place but in addition to that, we are also are currently under a high tide right now. We think it is not going to be as substantial as it was this morning.
But, Poppy, this is another aspect to the system that we haven't talked a lot about. All of these businesses, these summertime homes have been inundated with that seawater. Back to you.
HARLOW: Thank you so much. Karen Maginnis in the CNN severe weather center. Appreciate it.
Still to come, we will keep tracking this historic storm. Also some breaking political news to get to. Hillary Clinton, who is trailing in the latest Iowa polls, picks up a key endorsement tonight from Iowa. Is it going to be enough to give her a winning edge come February 1st. We will hear directly from her camp live, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[19:41:25]
HARLOW: This winter storm is pummeling much of the eastern seaboard. We now know 14 people have died as a result of the storm. We have also learned this is the third largest snowfall event ever in New York City history. A truly historic event. Blizzard conditions up and down the eastern seaboard from the Ccarolinas, right through New York, New Jersey, nearly three feet of snow accumulating in Washington, D.C. and parts of Maryland. About 200,000 people without power now in 13 states.
There is heavy flooding along the Jersey Shore. In New York City, a complete travel ban is in effect. No cars, no taxi, no city buses, only police, ambulances and other emergency vehicles allowed.
Back to the storm in a moment to breaking political news which is nine days into the Iowa caucuses. Hillary Clinton today, tonight really picking up a key endorsement. News has broke within the last few hours. The editorial board of the State's flagship paper "The Des Moines Register" has thrown its weight behind her, giving her that coveted endorsement. It could not come at a more crucial time. Because here's what our crucial CNN-ORC poll from this week shows. It shows Clinton trailing Sanders by eight points with nine days to go until the caucuses. Joining me now by phone, Brian Fallon, press secretary for Hillary Clinton's campaign. Brian, thank you for being with me. The "Des Moines Register," when you look at their history on their endorsements, they also backed Hillary Clinton in 2008, as you know. Then Senator Barack Obama went on to win the caucuses. He went on to win the nomination, the presidency. How much stock do you put in this endorsement this year?
BRIAN FALLON, HILLARY CLINTON'S PRESS SECRETARY: Well, we're very pleased to have this endorsement. Obviously it was one that both candidates Senator Sanders and Secretary Clinton sought. And I think the reason why it is meaningful is because it directly considers the two arguments that both candidates are putting forward in these closing days before the Iowa caucuses.
It chooses to stand with the argument that Secretary Clinton has put forward in terms of putting a premium on the experience and the detailed plans to achieve real results on behalf of Americans given the very high stakes that we're facing. It directly considers the argument that Senator Sanders is putting forward and makes a judgement that his plans are not realistic that while he's promising a lot, his ability to delivery is questionable.
And so I think it actually focuses and clarifies the decision that Iowa caucus goers will face in these closing days. That's why I think it's a very significant endorsement.
HARLOW: I wanted to ask you about the latest CNN-ORC poll that came out this week, specifically on the issue of the economy. Here's why I asked because democratic voters have consistently said the economy is issue number one for them in this election over the fear of terrorism.
And when you look at the economy question, 58 percent of those polled say Senator Sanders would have a better handle and be better at handling the economy compared with 36 percent for Clinton. That is a dramatic shift from just a month ago. How do you tackle that?
FALLON: Well, I would actually challenge - that particular poll, I obviously have great respect for CNN. But the same day that that poll came out, there was another poll that showed the situation in Iowa much differently. It actually showed us by leading by as almost many as the CNN poll showed.
HARLOW: On the economy, sir?
FALLON: On the economy as well. We are seeing a great response to Secretary Clinton's detailed plans for how to lift wages. She set out at the beginning of this campaign last spring and declared that the number one challenge that she would focus her energies on, if elected president, would be to raise wages.
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She has studiously talked about the fact that while we have made great gains under President Obama, over the last seven years, that one of the stubborn indicators we have still not made adequate process on is median incomes. She has laid out detailed plans from a profit sharing proposal to minimum wage increase to increase investment in infrastructure. Detailed plans for how she would achieve that boost in incomes. We are seeing a great response to those details plans that she put forward on that issue across Iowa and beyond.
HARLOW: Brian Fallon, thank you so much.
I wish we had more time, but we got a lot of breaking news to get to. Again, we're going to see from all three of those candidates, hear from them together Monday night at the CNN town hall hosted by our Chris Cuomo in Iowa.
Brian, thank you so much.
With me now, I want to go to Symone Sanders, she's the national press secretary for Senator Bernie Sanders 2016 campaign. Thank you for being with me, Simone.
SYMONE SANDERS, NATIONAL PRESS SECRETARY, BERNIE 2016: Glad to be here, Poppy. Thanks for having me.
Of course. Your reaction to the "Des Moines Register" coming out and they backed your opponent. They backed Hillary Clinton over Senator Sanders in Iowa. Are you concerned about what that does to the momentum of the "Sanders' surge" we have been seeing?
SANDERS: No, Poppy, I'm not concerned at all. Here's why. In 2008, the "Des Moines Register" also endorsed Hillary Clinton, Secretary Clinton. Then Senator Obama went on to, as we know, win the Iowa caucuses. He is now serving as president. So we are not concerned. The senator has the momentum. We are very proud of the work that we have been doing. We are very proud of our Iowa ground game. Senator Sanders is really again speaking to those issues that the American people and Iowans care about. He is standing up for workers's rights, standing up for the disappearing middle class in this country.
His opposition to, you know, the big oil companies and standing up to them. Opposing the Bachman pipeline. These are all things that again are important to the American people and important to Iowans. We are proud to have the support of over 2.5 million folks all across this country who have donated to our campaign and who have signed up to join the political revolution. So we are happy to have their endorsement and their support.
We look forward to seeing those effects on caucus day.
HARLOW: Nine days to go. I want to get your take, Symone, also on some breaking news out this morning. Sources telling us here at CNN, also the "New York Times" reporting that former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is seriously now considering an independent run, he'll spend a billion of his own money, sources say, to run for president if it looks like Ted Cruz or Donald Trump will face Bernie Sanders in a general election.
We have seen what third-party candidates and contenders have done in terms of taking votes away. What's your reaction to this?
SANDERS: My reaction to that is this campaign is not about a potential run from anybody else. It is not about Donald Trump or Secretary Clinton. This campaign is about the American people. It's about again speaking to the issues that the American people care about. The folks in America want to know how they are going to help put more money in your pockets, how they're going to help them keep food on their table, and keep their community safe.
We are not concerned. We're going to continue to run our race. As you know, Senator Sanders has stated if he was not consider a third- party run just for the reasons you just described. So, again, we are confident in our ability and our campaign. Again, we're just looking forward to doing the work. And we look forward to seeing the results on caucus day. And, again, we're ready to ride this thing all the way through to the convention, Poppy.
So we know some establishment folks are nervous. But we - Senator Sanders's campaign, a President Sanders, administration, has the ability, again, to inject that life back into the class that we are talking about. And Senator Sanders's campaign does have the ability to elect democrats up and down the ticket. And that's true.
HARLOW: Before I let you go, I have one minute left. I do want to ask you about the polling on foreign policy. Sixty five percent of likely Iowa caucus goers tell CNN in this most recent poll, 65 percent that they think that Clinton would better handle foreign policy, compared to 25 percent for Senator Sanders. How do you get your numbers up on that?
SANDERS: Well, Poppy, again, we go out and meet people where they are and we communicate to them and let them know that when Senator Sanders and Secretary Clinton have the opportunity to make judgment calls and be the most important vote on foreign policy in our modern day history, on the Iraq war, Senator Sanders stood up and he voted no. That speaks to his judgment and what he would do as president.
HARLOW: Symone Sanders, appreciate you joining me, from Iowa. Thank you so much.
Exactly one week before people in Iowa choose, Clinton, Sanders and O'Malley, will go face to face with voters. It is the final page of the last televised event with the candidates before the caucuses, on February 1s, there in Iowa, our Chris Cuomo moderates CNN's Iowa democratic presidential town hall, Monday night, 9:00 p.m. Eastern, only right here on CNN.
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Right now, 500 cars and trucks are sitting in the blizzard going nowhere. Backed up for seven miles on the Pennsylvania turnpike. We're live from Philadelphia, straight ahead.
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HALROW: All right. Some breaking news for you here in New York City. The travel ban we've been telling you about all night, we were just told from New York's governor, Andrew Cuomo, that travel ban for all vehicles on all of the roads in the New York City will be lifted tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m.. Again all of those vehicles have to stay off the road anywhere in New York City until 7:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. That is when it is being lifted.
Also right now, 500 vehicles stuck on the Pennsylvania turnpike because of this historic storm. Pennsylvania declaring a state of emergency. Sara Ganim live with me in Philadelphia. This storm has hit record proportions. No question. Things behind you looking better than they did earlier.
SARA GANIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, I would say actually that this is probably the worst wind gusts that we've seen all day, Poppy. This is really kind of continuous and intense. The 40-mile-per-hour wind gusts that were coming a lot less frequently a few hours ago are now coming a lot more frequently now as the sun has set.
A little bit of news here. I just got off the phone with the Pennsylvania State Police, they are still trying to rescue the people that are stranded out there on the highway. I know we have some pictures of that to show our viewers at home. This is the Pennsylvania turnpike somewhere in between Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C., a place called Breezewood. It's a very popular trucking interchange that near that is where some tractor trailers became stranded on the highway and five miles of cars behind them then became stuck on the Pennsylvania turnpike. The National Guard was called to try to help them get out. But they're still working on those rescue operations.
As a result of that, certain vehicles, including tractor-trailers and other vehicles like them, motorcycles are now being told not to get on highways in Pennsylvania.
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Poppy, here in Center City, I want to give you a little bit of an idea of how much snow has fallen by what I'm standing in. We learned a little while ago that we did break a record here in Philadelphia. Seventeen inches recorded at the airport. That tops the 11-inch record for a 24-hour period that had previously been set.
And the now, as you can see, continues to fall. Almost 15 inches in the city. When they recorded it earlier, they plan on making another recording of how much snow has fallen again at 1:35 tomorrow morning. And they anticipate that the record might tick up because we have not seen the snow let up.
Let's talk for a minute about the wind. I want to give you an idea. These gusts - actually they just calmed down for a minute. But these flags that are around me are continuously whipping in the wind. Of course now that I'm pointing to them, the wind has let up there, Poppy. But let me assure you that when they kick in, it's really intense. And it hurts to be outside so the officials here have warned people, even though they have been out during the day, kind of getting to see what's going on, now that night has fallen and the wind has picked up, they're really urging people to - stay off of the streets. Poppy?
HARLOW: That would be the prudent move tonight I think tonight anywhere you are on the east coast.
Sara Ganim, thank you so much. Live for us in Philadelphia tonight.
Before I go this evening, I want to show you a few extraordinary numbers from this storm. Take a look at the snowfall totals. They're the highest we've seen in several cities. Glengarry, West Virginia 40 inches and counting. That is more than three feet. You got 38 inches in Redhouse, Maryland, 35 in Hancock, West Virginia and there you go, on down, more than 20 inches here in the middle of New York City.
A blizzard of truly historic proportions that is not over yet. 14 deaths from this storm. A tragedy for so many people. We've got live team coverage. Thank you so much for being with me tonight. I'm Poppy Harlow in New York.
Our coverage continues with Jim Sciutto in Washington and Carol Costello in New York. Stay safe, have a good evening. I'll see you back here tomorrow.
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