Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

Wildfires in Palm Bay, Florida; Interview With Mary Tillman

Aired May 13, 2008 - 10:59   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning again, everyone. You're informed with CNN.
I'm Tony Harris.

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, good morning, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen.

HARRIS: Developments keep coming in to the CNN NEWSROOM on this Tuesday morning, May 13th.

Here's what's on the rundown.

NGUYEN: The awesome power of China's earthquake on tape. Look at that. The violent shaking leaves thousands dead or trapped. And just moments ago, the U.S. announces a cash donation.

HARRIS: Flames in Florida. Winds are slowing today. Firefighters hope to speed up progress.

NGUYEN: Four years after he was killed by friendly fire, Pat Tillman's mother still doubts the Army's story. Mary Tillman, live, in the NEWSROOM.

Florida firefighters are stretched to the limit. Eighty-two wildfires burning in that state right now, 16,000 acres already scorched. The biggest of those wildfires in Palm Bay. That is just southeast of Orlando.

We expect to get update from authorities momentarily. When that happens you will see it here live in the NEWSROOM.

In the meantime, investigators say the Palm Bay fire may have been set. Here is what we can tell you about the situation there.

So far, the fire has scorched 3,500 acres. That's about five and a half square miles. Crews estimate 70 homes have been damaged, three firefighters injured.

While we wait for the start of the news conference, let's get you to the scene. Our Rob Marciano is in Palm Bay.

And Rob, if you would, give us the latest from your location.

ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, I just got some new information regarding at least the statewide progress of these fires. And it's not particularly good. A few of them put out, but 30 new ones have been added. So the total now across the entire state of Florida burning at this very moment is 108 fires, so that has come up by over 20 since the last update.

So fire conditions right now, the sun is up. We don't expect any sort of rain. It's still smoldering. Actually, the winds have switched a little bit so that this smoke actually coming into my face and blowing that way just a little bit.

So I think maybe a bit of an onshore flow today that may help things, lift humidity levels just a little bit. Winds will be gusty, but not quite as bad as they were yesterday.

All right. Look at this. This is one of many homes that was either saved or spared by this fire, but so close to it, the back yard burned. This telephone and power pole completely cut off at the bottom, at its knees by flame. And it's still smoldering at the bottom there.

Palmetto trees and shrub and brush, heavy brush, and long needle pines, this has all been -- it just went up. It's very highly combustible.

The last 35 days, they have seen a stretch of less than a 10th of inch of rain during that period. So it doesn't bode well. And the rainy season not expected to come at us here for another couple of weeks. June 1 is when typically the rainy season starts.

Still, 50 to 75 homes estimated to be damaged or destroyed. Only one injury, and that is that of a firefighter. So if there is any good news out of all of this, Tony, it is just that. People have been able to -- light on their feet, they've been coming in back to their homes from time to time.

We're in an area that's already burned out. And what fire officials are hoping is that now that the winds are changing, the fire will actually be blown back on to areas that already have been burned...

HARRIS: Ah, yes.

MARCIANO: ... limiting any new acreage.

So we're hoping for better weather today. We'll get a little bit. It will improve slightly.

HARRIS: Yes.

MARCIANO: Maybe tomorrow will be even better than that.

HARRIS: And once again, most of the morning, we have been going with this number of 82 wildfires in the state. And just to recap the new information, what's the new number now of fires burning in the state?

MARCIANO: One hundred and eight.

HARRIS: One hundred and eight.

MARCIANO: One hundred and eight, so that's...

HARRIS: Wow.

MARCIANO: ... about 26 -- I guess they put four out and they've added, you know, 30 more.

HARRIS: Yes. OK.

MARCIANO: So there you go.

HARRIS: Rob Marciano for us this morning.

Rob, appreciate it. Thank you, sir.

NGUYEN: Well, we do want to get a quick check in with the firefighters actually battling those flames. And on the phone with me now is division chief Orlando Dominguez. He's the Brevard County Fire and Rescue.

Chief, let me ask you this -- 108 fires burning. How large is the fire in the area where you are trying to fight it?

ORLANDO DOMINGUEZ, BREVARD COUNTY FIRE & RESCUE: Well, right now the fire has consumed approximately 2,500 acres.

NGUYEN: Twenty-five hundred acres. Is it threatening homes at this hour?

DOMINGUEZ: Well, right now we are saying that it is threatening homes, simply because we don't have the fire contained. And that -- when you don't have the fire contained, it can pose a threat to local residents and some structures.

NGUYEN: Well, how close is it to a neighborhood?

DOMINGUEZ: Well, we get a variety of reports. I mean, they have come as close as two feet, five feet, 100 yards from the home. This fire is very fast-moving. Right now it's slowed down somewhat because we don't have those tense winds this morning. But we're predicting that the winds are certainly going to increase this afternoon.

NGUYEN: So what is your biggest problem at this point as you're trying to get some kind of containment on the fire? Is it just the winds? Is it the dry brush? Is it the flying embers? What is your biggest problem?

DOMINGUEZ: All of the above. I think you said it very well.

Right now we haven't had rain in a significant amount of time. The ground is very dry. The brush, vegetation, very dry.

Then you have the intense winds. And then what's really compounded the problem, and it's very difficult, is how quick the winds have been shifting direction. Just when we think we have a handle on it, the winds shift, pushes the fire in the completely opposite direction.

NGUYEN: Yes, we can hear some wind on the phone that you are speaking on right now. And, you know, when it comes to fight thing, do you have enough manpower on the ground? Because again, we are looking at 108 wildfires burning.

DOMINGUEZ: Well, fortunately, I mean, we -- we have a system that everybody collaboratively comes together. It's a system that allows resources to come in from other parts of the state. Even out of the state. So in regards to that, we have been very fortunate, and we are looking to contain this thing fairly soon.

NGUYEN: Hopefully you can. But what are you telling homeowners in the meantime -- again, we're hearing a lot of the wind noise -- as they sit and they watch? And a lot of them just want to be on their property to try to help fight back these fires.

DOMINGUEZ: Well, we tell them to just to be patient, to be vigil, and go ahead and let us know if they see anything. They have actually been our best spotters.

You know, we can't be everywhere at the same time. So what we are actually doing is, if somebody calls to let us know how far the fire is away from the home, we're able to triage the situation. And if it's fairly imminent, then we deploy our units and extinguish the fire. If it's several hundred yards away, then we know that we have got something brewing there and we can address it appropriately.

NGUYEN: What about evacuations? Is that under way?

DOMINGUEZ: Right now, no. Right now, everybody is in the Malabar (ph) area. Everybody's home. There's been no evacuations. But again, we take that minute by minute.

NGUYEN: Absolutely. And as far as injuries, have you seen any with your crew?

DOMINGUEZ: Fortunately, we have no injuries to report to firefighters and to any civilians.

NGUYEN: All right. Division Chief Orlando Dominguez with the Brevard County Fire and Rescue.

We do appreciate your time. I know you have a lot of work today to do. And as you mentioned, some 2,500 acres burning in your particular area. That, to add to 108 fires that are burning throughout Florida at this hour.

We're going to get a better indication of the exact sense of what these firefighters are dealing with, because in just a few minutes, we should be hearing from a news conference that hopefully will be under way shortly out of Florida. And when that takes place we will bring it to you live.

Here is a look at the microphones. And as soon as people start stepping up and giving us that information, we will bring it to you. (WEATHER REPORT)

HARRIS: And of course, when weather becomes the news, just want to remind you to send us along your iReports. Stay out of the way and make sure the storm system has passed through. But if you would, just go to CNN.com and click on "iReport." You can type ireport@cnn.com into your cell phone. As always, be safe.

And breaking news just into CNN. We're getting media reports now of several explosions in a town called Jaipur. It's northeastern India.

And this -- my understanding is that this is a very popular destination for Indian and foreign tourists. And news reports saying that the explosions actually took place in several crowded areas, including markets.

That's a bit of the information that we have now. It's very limited at this point. At least five explosions, according to some news reports that we're just getting. Jaipur, India, northeastern India.

We're going to work on maps and get you additional information. No word now of any injuries. I suspect that will change. But just wanted to put this on your radar now. We're working to get more information, and we will update this story for you in minutes here in the NEWSROOM.

NGUYEN: Well, here's an update for you. I want to take you back now to Florida, where a news conference is under way into those wildfires that are burning.

Let's take a listen.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Questions?

QUESTION: Can you give us a rough estimate of maybe how many homes were damaged or destroyed?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We had an estimate of over 70, but as we started the grid, we found more than that. And we are working through that process.

Like I said, it's a grid. So we're identifying as many as we can. And there obviously seems to be more.

QUESTION: Would you say more than 100?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would just say roughly at that point 100. And just saying no more than that, because the numbers have not all come in.

QUESTION: And is that destroyed or damaged or both?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That is both destroyed and damaged. And it could be anything from somebody's stockade fans (ph) and their shed, to I'm hearing reports of vehicles that are near houses that have caught fire. Lawn equipment that has gas cans in them and other things like that are coming across, so there's some real concern there.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That is correct. We're assessing that with the building department right now. Those places that are not habitable, they are being posted by the building department, along with the fire inspector.

QUESTION: How about injuries or deaths at this point?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At this point there's no deaths to report. And as far as injuries, I don't have any injuries as of this day to report.

QUESTION: What are you concerned about weather-wise this afternoon?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As we have been, the wind is a factor in the afternoon as it begins to pick up. Obviously, the conditions are continuing to be dry. We desperately need rain.

You know we don't have any. And we're not projected to get any, anytime soon. So we are just praying that nothing continues to happen here and that we can contain these flare-ups.

QUESTION: How about the percentage of containment?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm sorry?

QUESTION: Do you have a percentage of containment?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At this point I don't. Chief Staples (ph) is on his way. He will give some updated information in that regard.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm sorry?

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Actually, what we have had behind us here, and we'll go in Madden (ph) area, and Lowery (ph) area, two large areas. And then also up in the Babcock (ph) Street area. Those are significant areas that are continuing to have pockets. And we have a lot of activity.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can't, but the chief officer behind me that's coming will provide that information after.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE) even at this point. How are they dealing with that while they're on the job? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I would expect like anybody, having a very difficult time. But I'm sure, and I have been around them for over 20 years. You maintain a professional attitude and composure about what you are doing, but obviously you are concerned about your family and your homes. And like anybody else, we want to protect our properties.

QUESTION: Could you characterize...

(CROSSTALK)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I do not know of any firefighter that's lost a home at this point.

I'm sorry?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Could you characterize things in general? It seems there is an upper hand at this point compared to yesterday.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Certainly. Why? Because wind conditions the way they are and the resources the way they are, different than yesterday.

We have got more here, obviously, than we had yesterday. We were stretched. Today we have got more resources. The winds are down right now, so we are able to be out there in and around the areas of concern.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oftentimes they start coming in immediately upon the request of the fire chief.

QUESTION: Have you called in any other state agencies -- Fish and Wildlife, anything along those lines?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The forestry division was notified almost immediately, as was other agencies in the mutual aid agreements, and asking for support.

Yes?

QUESTION: How many (INAUDIBLE) been involved?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Honestly, I don't know for sure. But just in being at the staging area, I've seen Jacksonville, I've seen St. Petersburg, I've seen Sarasota. I have seen throughout the state people -- Orlando. I have seen all kinds of equipment, as you, and different departments who have been respectful and sending us assistance.

QUESTION: How many people would you say are on your evacuation list?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't have a number. I'm sorry. At this point we don't have -- I don't know that anybody is really under evacuation. They are maintaining their properties right now. And there is no area really in that dire a threat.

QUESTION: Any word on when people can return? People that have been evacuated, days, weeks?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, actually, the people that do live in the area, they are asked not to come into the area unless they absolutely have to. Obviously, neighbors are out looking after one another's properties. And the suggestion is to -- if you don't have to, don't come in.

Why? Because FP&L is all over the place trying to restore power to areas that they can. And they are doing the best that they can with that.

QUESTION: What about the people who left (INAUDIBLE)?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At this point I don't have a time. As we are doing the assessments, and that information is coming back, as well as the spot-overs that the engine companies are working. So I expect that by the next briefing, information will be provided.

QUESTION: About how many fires would you say are the work of an arsonist?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Excuse me.

At this point we had several. And it was the day before yesterday -- we actually worked -- but several that we worked. And in identifying those with the winds and the high winds conditions that we had, they actually, you know, exploded into so many different areas so fast. But in recognizing it, there were starting points, and they are still under investigation at this point.

QUESTION: Can you speculate as to how they were started, what kind of (INAUDIBLE)?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am still investigating. And I'm not wanting to specify.

NGUYEN: All right. We have been listening to officials there in Florida talk about the 100-plus fires that are burning, and that more than 100 structures have been damaged. But so far, no deaths reported. And they are working feverishly to get control of those fires.

Of course, we'll stay watching this and bring you the latest information just as soon as we get it. But if you would like to continue watching this news conference live, all you have to do is go to cnn.com/live. And you can watch it in its entirety.

HARRIS: Hillary Clinton looking to make a big statement today. Will a West Virginia win matter? What the candidates and the voters are saying.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(WEATHER REPORT)

NGUYEN: A tragic loss. Former football star Pat Tillman killed in Afghanistan, the victim of friendly fire, fratricide. His family forced to fight for the truth.

Pat's mother, Mary Tillman, has written a book about her hero son -- his sacrifice and her search for the facts. Mary Tillman joins me now.

Mary, great to see you.

MARY TILLMAN, PAT TILLMAN'S MOTHER: Thanks for having me.

HARRIS: And I think we're all so sorry for your loss.

When you were told as many different versions of the story of what happened to your son by your military, your government, I think it's natural for you to wonder if you will ever get to the truth. Do you still think that there is a lot to learn about what happened to your son in that canyon of Afghanistan?

TILLMAN: Well, I don't think we're ever going to really find out what happened to him in the canyon. We're pretty certain that the soldiers in the vehicle that killed him, an EMF (ph) soldier, and wounded two other soldiers, they were basically experiencing what I would call a lust to fight...

HARRIS: A lust?

TILLMAN: ... versus a fog of war.

HARRIS: Yes.

TILLMAN: It's pretty clear from the testimonies that the soldiers came out of the canyon, which clearly they were being ambushed. And, you know, I'm certain they were frightened. I'm certain they were scared to a point.

But when they came out of the canyon, all their testimonies indicate they were not being fired upon. And they were shooting so wildly and so irresponsibly, they almost shot the soldiers in the vehicle behind them.

HARRIS: Yes.

Mary, what was the first bit of information that you received that was in direct contradiction to the official sorry that was being told by the military and told to you personally and your family?

TILLMAN: Well, the public was told basically at Pat's memorial service. That's where we were told the truth...

HARRIS: Yes.

TILLMAN: ... that he was running up a hill, trying to help the convoy come through the canyon, the second convoy. And he was killed by the enemy. And then four weeks later, his brother, who was also in the same platoon, but was not there when he was killed, was told that it was a friendly fire situation.

And then, of course, you know, friendly fire happens. And, you know, as tragic as it was, that was something that we thought was, you know, definitely a possibility. And so that was that.

But then, of course, when we went to Fort Lewis to hear the briefing, the story we heard originally started changing. Crucial information about visibility, you know, the positioning of the EMF (ph) soldier, things that did not make sense.

HARRIS: Yes.

TILLMAN: And then, of course, we started getting documents, the autopsy, field hospital report, that made Pat's death even more suspicious.

HARRIS: A couple of questions here, and then I want to get to the book and why you wrote the book. Whose opposition to your desire to know the story, the story, whose opposition to your desire to know those facts surprised you the most?

TILLMAN: Well, the military's opposition to it surprised us.

HARRIS: Anyone in particular in the military?

TILLMAN: Not -- certain, you know, colonels. You know, people -- I mean, they were being very patronizing to us. And they were giving us information, but they weren't giving us the actual -- the truth.

HARRIS: Yes.

TILLMAN: The documents contradicted the verbal briefings that we were given.

HARRIS: "Boots on the Ground by Dusk." Here's the book. Let me hold it up here for a second.

Tell everyone why -- oh, you can't really see that -- why you wrote the book.

TILLMAN: Well, I wrote the book so people would have a better understanding of Pat as a person. You know, the Pat that I knew, because he was sort of turned into a caricature after his death. I wanted to present him as more than a football player and soldier, but as a human being.

HARRIS: Yes.

TILLMAN: The other reason I wrote the book was because Pat is just one example of a soldier whose death was lied -- you know, the military lied about. There's examples of five soldiers in the book.

HARRIS: In the book. TILLMAN: In the book whose families were lied to. And, of course, you know, the lie about Pat's death was not a lie just to our family. It was a public deception. And we believe it was a public deception in order to deflect attention, public attention, away from the Abu Ghraib prison scandal, because that actually broke the week of Pat's death. To deflect, you know, chaos in Falluja, the president's dismal approval rating at that time, and there were more casualties in the war at that time.

HARRIS: And Mary, that's what you believe. You don't have smoking gun documents from anyone, or do you, that suggest that that's actually what happened here? Boy, Pat Tillman is dead. Here is an opportunity to use him.

TILLMAN: Yes, we do, actually.

HARRIS: You do?

TILLMAN: Yes, we do. There's a statement in the General Jones investigation, the third investigation. General Yellin (ph) basically indicated that he knew, General Brown knew, General Myers knew...

HARRIS: The truth?

TILLMAN: Exactly. Admiral Olson knew that Pat was killed by fratricide within 24 hours.

HARRIS: And deliberately decided not to share the truth, to tell the true story...

TILLMAN: Right.

HARRIS: ... but to create the mythology of Pat Tillman. For what? For recruiting purposes?

TILLMAN: Oh, I think so. I think for recruiting purposes.

I mean, they don't state it blatantly, but I will say that General Yellin (ph) indicated in his testimony to General Jones, when General Jones asked him, what was the tone in the chain of command, in the higher chain of command, when Pat was killed? And he basically said, well, here's the steak dinner, but we are giving it to you on a garbage can cover. You got it. You work it.

In other words, Pat's death was something that they saw as a positive thing. This was this football player, he's died by the hands of the enemy. Unfortunately, he didn't die by the hands of the enemy. It was a fratricide. So they had to spin it.

HARRIS: One final question. I had so many more, but we are just about out of time.

I am just wondering, lessons learned, you write this book. And I'm just wondering what it is through this whole process now -- 2004.

TILLMAN: Right. HARRIS: 2004.

TILLMAN: Four years.

HARRIS: What have you learned about you that you didn't necessarily know before you lost your son?

TILLMAN: Well, I learned I have -- you know, some stick-to-it- ness (ph) that I probably didn't know I had. But I also have realized how compassion I have for, you know, the soldiers.

And it's not that I disrespect the military. My family does not at all, disrespect the military. There are people in the military, like any institution, that lack integrity. And I think that the administration should be held accountable for this as well.

HARRIS: Because there's no doubt about the fact that you -- you take this view of the military and go after the folks who you believe were part of this at a time when the country is at war and at a time when many people find themselves criticized as being unpatriotic if they don't wholeheartedly support the war. And yet, you do this and, yet, you feel strengthened through the process and you feel like you've learned some things about yourself?

TILLMAN: Well, absolutely. And I -- you know, I don't support this war in Iraq. I don't disrespect or dishonor the military in any way.

The military is at the mercy of the administration at the helm. And they don't have a choice. The public has a responsibility to be vigilant of that administration and make sure that they are paying attention to what is happening. It's very dangerous when they don't.

HARRIS: And you have absolutely been vigilant, there's no doubt about that.

Mary Tillman. "Boots on the Ground by Dusk" is the new book.

Mary, it is great to see you. And once again, we all share in the sorrow of the loss of your son.

Thank you.

TILLMAN: Thank you. Thanks for having me. I appreciate it.

HARRIS: Our pleasure. Our pleasure.

Pat Tillman's story refocuses attention on the men and women fighting in what many call the forgotten war. Here is an update.

As of last month, nearly 15,000 U.S. troops were on the ground in Afghanistan, 496 U.S. troops have been killed since the campaign started in October, 2001.

NGUYEN: Well, thousands upon thousands are trapped. Survivors of China's earthquake wait under slabs of concrete for help. It's a desperate situation, and we have it in the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Just past the half hour. Welcome back, everyone, to the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Tony Harris.

NGUYEN: Yes, good morning, everybody. I'm Betty Nguyen.

Just in to CNN. We are getting new information on that bombing in India. In fact, it's more than one bombing. At seven explosions detonated in quick succession today, killing at least 10 people in India's northwestern city of Jaipur.

This video, check it out, coming to us from our sister network, CNN-IBN. This is video from the blast site. Now the blast struck within 12 minutes of each other. They detonated within a small radius in Jaipur's old city which is frequented by tourists, we understand. One also struck near a temple which was crowded with Hindus and another struck near a sweet shop.

But at this hour, there has been no claim of responsibility. And it kind of give you an indication of where this blast site is, it's in Jaipur, which about 160 miles southwest of India's capital of New Delhi.

Again, at least seven explosions detonated in quick succession killing at least 10 people. We're going stay on top of the story and bring you the latest.

HARRIS: Well, to China earthquake now. The numbers are staggering. The scale of the destruction still coming to light. Here's what we know right now. The death toll continues to jump. At this hour, more than 12,000 according to official Chinese media. By all accounts, it's certain to climb. At least 50 bodies have been pulled from the rubble of a middle school. More than 800 other students are believed buried.

NGUYEN: China's official news agency reports more than 18,000 people are trapped in just one city alone. But there's no way of knowing how many people are buried in the ruins of homes, schools and businesses. Now a massive relief effort is under way. Tens of thousands of troops have fanned out across central China near the epicenter.

China says it welcomes international aid but international relief workers will not be allowed into the hardest hit areas for now. And just minutes ago, word from the White House that China is accepting an initial U.S. aid contribution of $500,000. The U.S. says it is ready to do more.

Well, China's earthquake, a survivor shares his story. And our next guest is an American living in Chengdu just south of the quake's epicenter. His name is Ben Geisler and he joins us by phone.

And Ben, I understand just moments ago, you felt an aftershock. Talk to me about what you're experiencing. BEN GEISLER, IREPORT WITNESS IN CHENGDU, CHINA: Actually, I have been waiting here for a couple of minutes to come on. And just a few minutes ago, the building that I'm in right now started slowly, slowly shaking similar to the aftershock that we had this morning also similar to the way that the earthquake that we had yesterday started.

So obviously, maybe just a little nervous right now. But I think it's gone down. So.

NGUYEN: How many aftershocks have there been? And how strong have they been?

GEISLER: You know, the - there's been aftershocks pretty much consistently all through yesterday and, in fact, the building's moving again right now. There's been aftershocks of varying intensity all through last night. There was one this morning that was pretty large. And then the ones I'm experiencing right now are, I would say, only moderate. Nothing too alarming. Just maybe a little unsettling.

NGUYEN: Where are you? Are you in a high-rise building? And are a lot of people trying to get outdoors just in case these aftershocks cause more destruction?

GEISLER: Right now, I'm on Kehua North Road, which is in between the first and second rings of the center of Chengdu. I'm on the ninth floor of a building that was considered undamaged, undamaged by the quake. Many people are outside and many people don't have anywhere to stay. It's been raining and cold consistently all through last night and today.

Many public areas have been turned into camping or sort of refugee camp-type areas, especially the Southwest University for Nationalities, Sichuan University, several large parks. There's a lot of traffic going out of the city. Not a lot of traffic coming in. Some -- most places, I think, have power now, gas and water. Vary by areas.

Cell phone service is almost completely unavailable as far as callout is concerned. And even some text messages are not going through one way or the other.

NGUYEN: What about the search for survivors? How frantic is that? And talk to us about the efforts that are under way.

GEISLER: As far as this part of the city, there weren't very many collapses. You can hear sirens going throughout the city. You can -- for example, you can see emergency personnel going outward. So, obviously, they are going to the regions that are harder hit. From the reports that are coming in to us here, a lot of the roads have been damaged and are inaccessible.

You'll have to excuse me, I'm having...

NGUYEN: That's OK. I can hear the street noise.

Hey, Ben, let me ask you this, very quickly. GEISLER: I'm -- just a little bit of shock here. Yes, yes.

NGUYEN: I want you to take me back to yesterday when the quake hit, because you were on the 17th floor of an office building. And in fact, you might have been in the elevator had it hit just a couple minutes later than when it did. Walk me through what you experienced.

GEISLER: OK. I returned back to my office at about 2:25, something like this. I got to my desk and I'm sitting down, and I feel the floor sort of start to move. And at first, I think that they're doing construction on the floor below, that's something that happen to it. But then I realized the movement was all wrong. It wasn't side to side. It wasn't back and forth. It was actually -- the building was twisting.

And after a few seconds, I realized that it was -- it wasn't just construction. It was definitely an earthquake. And I called out to my officemates to get to the nearest safe place. Get to doorways, to get to walls, whatever you can do. I was actually standing next to a wall, I had my hands on the wall and they have these marble of (INAUDIBLE) wall tiles.

And I could actually feel the wall tiles cracking underneath my hand almost like stepping on ice. There was just enormous, enormous amounts of noise. Both people from the streets below, also almost like the sound (INAUDIBLE) or something, just an enormous crunching concrete noise. I would say it lasted maybe two minutes.

At that time, I told everyone to get whatever they absolutely had to have and sped to the stairs on the 17th floor. We, obviously, have 17 landings, 34 flights. Some of these in complete darkness. Some of them in the light. And when we finally get down to street level, the street is just -- is completely crowded with people. People everywhere. There's cars driving quickly away out of the city.

People trying to avoid being hit by these cars. Obviously, there's people on cell phones, confusion. There are pools of blood. Garbage things, whatever, they're thrown aside, laid aside. People all converging towards open public areas. The nearest here is the Sichuan University. Many people went for the ground to Sichuan University waiting for something.

I mean no one knows if there's aftershocks, what's coming next, if something's going to collapse. It's really unclear. Most of the buildings weren't cleared for occupation as of last night. Many people camped out in the rain. I did my part to sleep on the floor of a bar for part of the night. And then the police came through and closed everything down. They said...

NGUYEN: For your safety, yes.

GEISLER: Yes. They said for the owners of the property, if they couldn't guarantee the safety of the occupants, everything had to be cleared.

NGUYEN: And that's why so many people are outside just in case these aftershocks cause more damage.

GEISLER: Sure. Sure. And we've had some aftershocks here that -- I mean, a lot of buildings are potentially structurally weakened. And they're afraid that another hard quake or a hard aftershock might bring some of these down. In some older areas of the city I was there today. I took a few photos. They're just -- for example, the hutongs and things, they're leveled. They're just taped off, completely flat.

NGUYEN: You have truly described a harrowing situation and a horrifying one, especially for those who, unlike you, have not made it out of buildings that have just come tumbling down.

Ben Geisler, we so appreciate you calling in and providing us with this look at exactly what you went through and what so many others did today. Best of luck to you. Please stay out of harm's way. And I know aftershocks are a big concern.

Ben Geisler joining us on the phone from Chengdu, China, and giving us a real glimpse of what it was like to survive that massive earthquake.

Now we know that you may want to help. So here's what you can do. You can go to CNN.com/impact, and there you can find links to aid agencies that are organizing help for the region. It is a chance for you to "Impact Your World."

HARRIS: Ben Geisler puts you right there.

NGUYEN: He did.

HARRIS: He put you on the scene, in the building, in the stairwell.

NGUYEN: As -- he said, parts of the tiles were crumbling like ice underneath his fingers. And they had to run down 17 or -- 32 flights of stairs.

HARRIS: Yes.

NGUYEN: And some 17 stories high. What a -- just a horrible situation. But he survived and he is very lucky.

HARRIS: That's as vivid a description of what it's like to go through an earthquake as I think I've heard. That was tremendous. Put you right there.

NGUYEN: Yes. Yes.

HARRIS: Still to come in the NEWSROOM this morning, another big story for us. Hundreds of people running from flames. Crews trying to knock down wildfires in Florida. Are the winds finally dying down?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: The great state of Missouri, in the bull's eye again for severe weather. Let's get you to Jacqui Jeras in the Severe Weather Center.

Jacqui, good morning.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HARRIS: All right, Jacqui, appreciate it. Thank you.

108 wildfires burning across Florida this morning, 30 of them just popped since we've been on the air. Firefighters are stretched to the limit. One of the areas on fire, Brevard County, that is just southeast of Orlando.

So far the fires there had scorched 3800 acres. That's about six-squares miles when you think about it. Crews estimate 100 homes and other structures have been damaged. They've closed a 34-mile stretch of I-95 in that area because of the flames and heavy smoke.

NGUYEN: Well, a wild gun battle on an Indians reservation in California to tell you about and it ends with two people dead, both shot by Riverside County sheriff's deputies. Deputies say they went to the reservation after calls came in about shots being fired at a security booth not far from a casino.

And when they arrived, deputies say, they were fired on by a man and a woman with assault rifles. They returned fire. A car chase followed. Deputies eventually shot and killed the suspects after the car broke down.

HARRIS: Betty, you know there is a primary today.

NGUYEN: Oh yes, there is. West Virginia.

HARRIS: There is a primary going on today. We've been undated with breaking news this morning. But let's keep in mind this is election season. West Virginians taking their turn at the polls right now. Hillary Clinton hoping those voters help a candidacy that is, frankly, on the road. Complete results tonight on CNN starting at 7:00 Eastern.

CNN, your home for politics.

NGUYEN: Well, Myanmar's cyclone survivors have new dangers to contend with. And our Dr. Sanjay Gupta will look at the looming health crisis.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: All right, information just in to CNN. We have learned that the death toll has risen out of India -- Jaipur, India to be exact. At least seven explosives went off today in quick succession killing some 20 people in India's northwestern city of Jaipur.

These blasts struck within 12 minutes of each other and they detonated within a small radius in Jaipur's old city which is frequented by tourists. And again, this is a picture from our sister network, CNN-IBN. This is new video of the blast site that is coming into CNN.

And the latest number is that 20 people have been killed. And these explosions that went off shortly one after the other, at least seven of them, again, killing 20 people and we'll stay on top of the story and bring you more just as soon as we get that information.

HARRIS: We've been following the wildfires in the state of Florida. 108 so far. That's the latest number. 108 wildfires burning in the state of Florida. Head left, make a left, head out to the West Coast, let's take you now to Mt. Baldy, California. Mt. Baldy, California, firefighters there are battling a 30-acre-plus wildfire in the Angeles National Forest.

The blazes is burning pretty high up to the 7,000 foot level. This is burning about 45 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. No word on any evacuations at this time in the nearby Mt. Baldy village. And no word yet on what started the blaze. We'll keep an eye on this one for you as well, in the NEWSROOM.

NGUYEN: Let's get you caught up in our daily dose of health news. Cyclone survivors in desperate need. Aid is slowly trickling in. And now there are claims that the military is handing out rotten food to survivors.

I talked about it with our chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN (on camera): Sanjay, as we hear this aid coming in the country, is it getting any better for the folks on the ground?

GUPTA (on camera): You know it's hard to say because there's so little reporting coming out of there. It just makes your stomach turn, doesn't it, Betty...

NGUYEN: It's frustrating.

GUPTA: ... when you hear that they may be hoarding some of that food and sending out rotten...

NGUYEN: Yes.

GUPTA: I mean, it's just -- it's unbelievable. But what we know now is the numbers have gone up even by Myanmar's government's projection. 28,000 they're saying now have probably died as a result of this. The other estimates according to the U.N. are anywhere between 63,000 and 100,000...

NGUYEN: Right.

GUPTA: ... which is sort of mind-boggling. Two million displaced people as well. You've seen these situations. You know these displaced people are sort of the real target now of all these relief efforts because they are at risk, they are at risk of being able of dying from things like dehydration, from starvation, from some of the basic necessities of life.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Well, to get your daily dose of health news online, here's what to do. You log on to our Web site. You'll find the latest medical news, a health library, and information on diet and fitness. The address right there on the screen, CNN.com/health.

HARRIS: The flight attendant told him to get off his cell phone. He refused.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He felt like it was life or death and still does, and felt like he had to make that phone call.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At that particular moment was not the time to probably negotiate.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: The $25,000 fine worth talking about in the NEWSROOM.

ANNOUNCER: "Daily Dose" brought to you by...

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: You know if you fly, you know about the ban on using cell phones when you are in the air. Well, this passenger refused to end his in-flight phone call and could now face a $25,000 fine. Police were waiting for Joe David Jones when his Southwest Airlines flight landed in Dallas.

Jones says it was an urgent call. His father's heart had stopped and the hospital needed to talk to him immediately. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating. It says it forbids the use of cell phones in flight because they could interfere with the navigation system.

NGUYEN: Well, he's got some extra time. So he's using it to make others smile.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONNIE KUHN, ROADSIDE WAVER: Hey. See? That man, I just moved it and it was like -- and I see people drive by and they look at me, strange. Soon as they come back by the second time, they're blowing their horns and wave just like -- cool. Just made another difference.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: Diagnosed with congenital emphysema, Donnie Kuhn was given a 50 percent chance to live two years. He's made it passed that timetable and is now spending 10 hours a day waving to motorists on an Ohio road.

HARRIS: Just offering up a smile. That's it.

NGUYEN: Yes, living life.

HARRIS: Yes, sure.

NGUYEN: CNN NEWSROOM continues one hour from now. I'm Betty Nguyen.

HARRIS: And I'm Tony Harris. "ISSUE #1" with news on the economy begins after a check of the headlines.

Let's quickly get to you Chad Myers now in the Severe Weather Center for an update on severe weather in Missouri and elsewhere.

Good to see you, Chad.

(WEATHER REPORT)