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Six Killed in Midwest Tornado Outbreak; Thousands of Power Outages in Indiana; Embattled Mayor Continues with TV Show; Toronto Mayor on Controversy, Criticism; Dow Hits 16,000
Aired November 18, 2013 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Usually late season tornado outbreak that simply slams the Midwest. This left at least six people dead, entire neighborhoods flattened. This morning, hundreds of thousands are without power and trying to figure out how do they even begin to clean up and move on?
JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Sixty-eight tornadoes reported across the region, 68. Illinois, one of the states that was hardest hit. And I got to say, these twisters, they were not small either, at least one there packed an EF-4 ranking with winds up to 200 miles per hour. The state's governor there has declared a seven-county disaster area, plans to tour the devastation later today.
ROMANS: And in the town of Brookport, Illinois, schools closed today after a tornado tore a path of destruction through two mobile home parks.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTHONY KHOURY, STORM SURVIVOR: I hope no one's hurt. Our father who art in heaven hollowed be thy name, thy kingdom, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: In a Sunday after church "The Lord's Prayer" in Washington, Illinois, a CNN iReporter grabbed his camera, started praying as the tornado ripped through his neighborhood. His family's home spared but others in the hard hit city not so lucky. One survivor there says he's just thankful to be alive.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEVE BUCHER, TORNADO SURVIVOR: My attitude was, in the next minute and a half, we're either going to be in heaven or we're going to be in the hospital or we're going to walk out of here, and completely in the Lord's hands.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: Indiana also in the storm's path. A sheriff's department's dash cam caught debris flying in the air.
ROMANS: Look at that. BERMAN: Look at that. That all as the tornado was touching down.
ROMANS: All right. CNN is covering every angle of this tornado outbreak with crews across the region.
BERMAN: Want to begin with CNN's Chris Cuomo who is in Washington, Illinois. That's about 140 miles southwest of Chicago.
Chris, you are right in the middle of the devastation but in so many ways right in the middle of the inspiration.
CHRIS CUOMO, ANCHOR, CNN'S NEW DAY: Oh, very well said, J.B., very well said, and couldn't be more true. The thing that matches the power of the storm here is the power of the resolve to get through it. It's a prayerful community, about 15,000 people here in Washington, 150 miles or so from Chicago.
But as you can see behind me the picture tells you everything. The -- this isn't even the worst of what this community has dealt with. And it was very quick and they're very lucky that there wasn't a higher injury and death toll given how little time they had to react.
Take a look at what they experienced here in Washington and across the country.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's on the ground.
CUOMO (voice-over): It's like being under attack.
KHOURY: Our father, who art in heaven.
CUOMO: Prayers echo through basements as a monster sized twister roars above. Central Illinois took the brunt of the fury, a string of tornadoes left several dead, dozens more injured. Just north in Peoria --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We may need to take shelter right now ourselves.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
BERMAN: Newscasters were abruptly rushed off air.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We will be back when we can.
CUOMO: As a tornado ripped right past their studio.
Down south, Washington County was devastated by a tornado, wind reports of 200 miles an hour spun entire blocks of homes to the foundation.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I felt the house shaking and waited about probably a minute, and then I came back up and saw what you're seeing here.
CUOMO: In a community of Pekin, authorities went door to door checking on residents for fear of gas leaks. One resident described the aftermath as a war zone.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm just devastated. I just feel sick.
CUOMO: Further south, a tornado carved a path of destruction in Brookport, directly hitting two mobile home parks.
MICHELLE CRUMRINE, TORNADO SURVIVOR: I don't have anything. My whole -- it's gone. I don't know where it went.
CUOMO: Widespread funnel clouds even spotted in Chicago.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Please clear the seating area calmly.
CUOMO: Tornado warnings forced officials to evacuate Soldier Field, delaying the Bears game.
But once the twisters passed, there was a new blast of energy, cleanup efforts, waves of people coming to each other's aid looking for survivors, searching for valuables, toppled semis pulled upright and most importantly, spirits raised.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We'll make it through it. We're just so grateful that the Lord preserved so many lives here.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CUOMO: Look, it's a prayerful community, no question about that, but it's just not about their faith, it's that they believe in each other here. There are so many people coming out to help yesterday, John and Christine, that they had to be turned away, the mayor told us this morning. So they're going to come back strong but the need is very great.
I'm watching this building that's off camera right now, water just started shooting out one of the mains here. So they have no power, they have water problems. There's going to be need going forward right into the holidays and through them.
ROMANS: You know, Chris, it's interesting for those people, this is a very wide storm system for those people who live there. They're not amateurs. You know, they've lived through real dangerous weather before. One thing interesting about this storm, depending on where you were, it hit right during around the church hour. A lot of people were at church, coming home, trying to get home quickly, kind of harrowing for many people.
CUOMO: It was definitely difficult. I mean, you were telling me about what you heard from your own family. There is something that is kind of ethereal about one of these storms, what you hear, what you feel. They're so disruptive and so fast, they literally shake you to your core physically and emotionally, but again, you know, they were lucky to be at church because they had strong foundations there, and they stayed there and they were protected and many people heeled the sirens and everything we get now on our -- on our phones.
You know, we get these alerts and they got them and got to basements and safe rooms, but, you know, this was unusual here. It's unusual for the time of year as Indra can tell you, and it was unusual for them in this community to have so many, so strong, so fast, and that's why the devastation is so complete.
This is not the worst.
ROMANS: Right.
CUOMO: Much of this community has no trees and no standing buildings at all, so the need is going to be huge going forward. We have to remember them -- John, Christine.
ROMANS: All right. Chris Cuomo, thanks, Chris, in Washington, Illinois.
BERMAN: You know, as he said, this was a huge storm with millions and millions of people in its path and parts of Indiana are still recovering from severe storms and thousands of people still without power this morning. The strength of the winds we can see them here. We have video to show you right now, I think we have video to show you right now, there it is right there.
Cars turned over in the parking lot. Look at that car in Lebanon in Indiana right there, smashed up right against the Starbucks. There is widespread damage in Kokomo where schools are closed today and unnecessary travel really banned. Stay at home, people are saying.
CNN's George Howell is live for us this morning in Kokomo.
George, I know you drove more than 150 miles from Chicago to Kokomo, must have been quite a sight, that long drive.
GEORGE HOWELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, on the road, and I apologize for the noise. You see a lot of work happening back here but on the road down here, the traffic driving in to Chicago, you could see it backed up for, you know, five, six miles at one point. Several backups along the way so driving was not easy for a lot of people last night.
What we see today right here, we know that the state of emergency has been lifted in Kokomo. That's good news, and also the other thing, no reported serious injuries, no one died in this storm, and when you consider what came through here, whether it was a tornado or straight line winds, the damage is substantial. It is an important point of fact that no one was killed because when you look at this, it's hard to believe.
It's hard to imagine how this all came down. If you look at that roof, the roof on top of the fire truck, and we're watching as even the firefighters need a little help digging out this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HOWELL (voice-over): New police dash cam video captured this twister in Boone County, Indiana, Sunday. Watch as it passes dangerously close to this semitruck. The damage in Indiana so extensive, more than 160,000 residents found themselves without power this morning. Entire communities were destroyed, the force even toppling a car in this Starbucks parking lot. Patrons were temporarily trapped inside, but lucky to escape.
Tornado warnings were issued across the region last night, putting Wisconsin, Missouri, and Ohio all on edge. This time lapse shows the storm overtake the Indianapolis sky line Sunday afternoon. The resulting tornadoes tore across multiple towns. Crews in Kokomo worked in darkness. Headlights from their emergency vehicles the only source of light in one of the hardest hit areas in Indiana.
The storm brought wind gusts powerful enough to tear the top from this home, sending it flying to the middle of the road. A fire station nearby was nearly demolished, and this man searches through what used to be his living room.
Damage from the storm system spread to neighboring states like Wisconsin. Trees were uprooted and houses sustained extensive damage in Allen Town. You can hear and see the strength of the storm blowing fast through St. Louis, and in Milwaukee, thick, black clouds moved in, in just a matter of minutes.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOWELL: Live picture here as the work continues to dig out after this big storm system, and we also understand that the governor is on the ground, will be touring the devastation here throughout the day -- John, Christine.
BERMAN: George, amazing to see that work going on behind you right there, lifting up that roof, trying to move this roof, which is just simply collapsed. They are stunning, stunning images, and truly amazing, as you said. No one killed or hurt in that area where you are right now.
George Howell for us in Kokomo, thank you so much.
ROMANS: All right. Still to come this morning, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford lashing out at critics who say he has a drug problem and is unfit to hold office.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAYOR ROB FORD, TORONTO: I'm not an addict. Why it go see an addict if I'm not an addict? I'm not an alcoholic. I'm not a drug addict.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: The mayor talking exclusively to CNN about his past drug use. His supporters and what he's telling his own children about the controversy that is now swirling around him.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: All right, Rob Ford is in the political fight of his life. The embattled Toronto mayor -- that actually puts it a little bit mildly. Embattled Toronto mayor, that's what he is, refusing to step aside despite admitting crack cocaine use, being caught on video threatening to kill somebody, oh and using lewd language in a shocking press conference last week.
BERMAN: But Ford's defiance not stopping the Toronto City Council which has scheduled a special meeting today to consider delegating some of the mayor's duties. This comes as the story takes another bizarre turn tonight with the debut of the mayor's new TV show, "Ford Nation."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FORD: It's humbling. I want to thank my supporters for sticking with me. I guarantee you're going to see a change in the next few months.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: CNN's chief innovation correspondent, my old friend, Bill Weir, recently met up with Rob Ford in sort of twisted surrealistic experience.
BILL WEIR, CNN CHIEF INNOVATION CORRESPONDENT: It was -- I -- it's hard to describe. I interviewed his brother Doug on Friday on "AC 360." And we're bantering and I said, I'd love to come there and meet your supporters, understand how your ward works. He goes, come on, he called my bluff. So 18 hours later I'm in the parking lot of this housing project in the suburbs of Toronto and the mayor eventually shows up after a surreal hour.
You'll see the whole thing later tonight but I found myself being ranted at by Rob Ford and you think he's explosive, unpredictable on person, you should see the live show.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FORD: Come on.
WEIR (on camera): But that's semantics, man. Come on.
FORD: It's typical media.
WEIR (voice-over): A lot of people are worried about Rob Ford these days. Worried that he'll never leave office or that his appetites will kill him but you know who is not worried? Rob Ford.
FORD: I'm not an addict. Why go see an addict if I'm not an addict? I'm not an alcoholic, I'm not a drug addict.
WEIR: And in the heart of Ford Nation, they believe him.
ROSE, ROB FORD SUPPORTER: People can set him up, too, you know that.
WEIR (on camera): Oh, you think he might have been set up?
ROSE: Yes.
WEIR: Well, he admitted to smoking crack.
ROSE: Well, maybe you just get fed up of everything.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Have you purchased illegal drugs in the past two years?
WEIR (voice-over): Sure, he may be a pariah on the floor of city council and a punch line on "Saturday Night Live."
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wow, that's a lot of crack!
WEIR: But out of his suburban housing project, he is, no pun intend, a rock star. So, he may be a slash and burn fiscal conservative downtown, but out here, they say he's bleeding heart they call when the eviction notice comes.
COUNCILOR DOUG FORD, BROTHER OF ROB FORD: Everyone keeps saying Rob is a conservative. He's a huge, massive social liberal. He loves Obama.
WEIR: Councilor Doug Ford invited us here. When his little brother showed up, we saw why. Almost everyone was thrilled to see him.
(on camera): These folks love you, but do you realize how you are perceived around the rest of the country, around the rest of the continent?
BOB FORD: They can make fun of me. They can laugh at me all they want. They don't know Rob Ford.
These people know me. They have known me for -- I was born and raised here.
WEIR: Why did you decide to finally admit that you had smoked crack?
ROB FORD: I'm not going to run around and be phony and lie and have someone blackmail me and say they have videos of this over my head. You don't trust what the "Toronto Star" says. I just had enough.
I'm sick and tired of the allegations and all these (EXPLETIVE DELETED), excuse my words, that's all it is. Sorry, I shouldn't swear in front of kids.
You know what? I made mistakes, I drank too much. I smoked some crack sometime. What can I say? I made mistake, I'm guilty.
WEIR: Can't you see why some would question your judgment?
ROB FORD: So what? So, lied about it? Just hide?
WEIR: No, no, that you would do it in the first place.
ROB FORD: No, no, I didn't say. No, I didn't say that. You are wrong. You are absolutely wrong what they said.
They said, do you smoke crack and are you a crack addict? No, I don't smoke crack and I'm not a crack addict. Have I? Yes, I have. So that's what -- I didn't lie. I don't smoke crack. I haven't smoked crack in over a year.
(CROSSTALK)
WEIR: That's semantics. Mayor, come on.
ROB FORD: It's typical media. You guys are the same. You all cut from the same cloth.
WEIR: No.
ROB FORD: You know what I mean? You guys can spin it every way you want.
WEIR: OK --
(CROSSTALK)
WEIR (voice-over): At this point, Doug tries to calm his brother which as we've seen ain't easy.
ROB FORD: When you come and accuse me of being a crack addict and saying, do you smoke crack? No, I don't. Have I? Yes. I don't like people attacking my integrity.
WEIR: Couldn't you be even more effective if you are healthier?
ROB FORD: I'm trying to lose some weight. I'm working out, I'm not perfect.
WEIR: Why don't you see an addiction specialist, just to make sure?
ROB FORD: I'm not an addict. You guys can spin it. You can tell me whatever you want. These people know that I'm not.
Are you ever going to come before, Bill?
WEIR: Of course.
ROB FORD: OK, sure.
(CROSSTALK)
ROB FORD: It doesn't matter. That's the thing. I don't look at myself as the mayor. I look at myself as just a normal, regular person.
(CROSSTALK)
ROB FORD: Yes, you know, that's enough. Guys, I'm passionate. Sorry. Sorry.
WEIR: One more question, this is the one that really gets it for me, I know a lot of people who would party their brains out, but they're parents. I'm sure you are insulating your children from what's going on now?
ROB FORD: Absolutely. I'm the best father around.
WEIR: But there's going to come a day they will Google their dad --
ROB FORD: Absolutely. And I'm going to explain why -- what they're hearing. I'm straightforward with my kids.
You just dismiss them? You just walk away? I don't walk away from anyone, Bill, in life. All these rich, elitist people, I'm sick of 'em. I'm sick of 'em.
(CROSSTALK)
ROB FORD: They're perfect. They don't do nothing. Get out of here, they don't do nothing. They're the biggest crooks around.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's why they want to get richer.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We support you don't worry --
(CROSSTALK)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: That's the twilight zone.
WEIR: It was something.
BERMAN: I got to say, we're not addiction experts right now, but we only see it on TV. You've now been in the room with this man.
Does this seem like a guy to you that is in control of his life?
WEIR: No. I wouldn't use those words. Now, in control of his life it depends on how you word it. He's not in control of his emotions for sure because he went from volcanic rage to sort of jocularity just moments after that talking about football, how Charlie Sheen wants him to come to California.
So he's all over the map, but what's amazing is how much adoration, how much passionate support he enjoys in these poor neighborhoods, which is stunning for a fiscal conservative. You know, through our American political eyes, we don't see that.
But as he gets ripped to shreds downtown, he goes out to the suburbs and that's where he gets his light and his oxygen from that base. They love him. They defend him. And he says he will not only fight on, but he will take down all of his political opponents downtown in the next election.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: I can't wait to see the entire interview tonight.
WEIR: We have so much, I can't even tell you. ROMANS: You're going to be able to see all of Bill's interview with the Mayor Ford. You can watch it on "AC360" tonight. That's at 8:00 Eastern here on CNN.
We're going to be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BERMAN: All right. Welcome back, everyone.
Today, we could see something that has never happened before in the history of ever.
ROMANS: That's right. After six weeks of gains on Wall Street, the Dow could reach 16,000. The S&P also inching ever so closer to 1,800 and it could be good news for you. With stocks at all-time highs, your 401(k) account is doing better than ever.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS (voice-over): After a record run, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is where it's never been before, closing in on 16,000. Wall Street surged last week as Fed nominee Janet Yellen reassured investors that she's not pulling back on the central bank's massive stimulus program any time soon.
But there are concerns this Dow hot streak is about to end.
MOHAMED EL-ERIAN, CEO, PIMCO: At some point, you need to get off this wave because this wave cannot last forever. Now, no one can tell you whether it's within the next few months or years but at these levels of valuation, we think it's about time to take some money off the table and be more cautious.
ROMANS: The October jobs report was surprisingly solid, 204,000 jobs added to payrolls last month, even with the government shutdown, and while traders also likely whoop it up, the rest of us might keep the champagne corked.
The problem? Ninety-seven thousand of those jobs were for hourly workers in retail stores and hospitality services.
And while home prices are still gaining, that steady rise has slowed as mortgage rates tick higher.
The average 30-year loan carries a rate of 4.35 percent, the highest it's been in nearly two months, and may be enough to give some potential home buyers pause.
For what could be a tough holiday season, there is some good news in there, with stocks at all-time highs your 401(k) is doing better than ever. Fidelity says the average account balance is at a record $84,300.
So, on that note, come on, Dow, 16,000.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BERMAN: We are so close to 16,000 and we are just moments away from the opening bell.
ROMANS: All right. Still to come, capital columnist David Wessel (ph) will join to us tell us how long the wild ride could last.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BERMAN: Good morning, everyone. I'm John Berman.
ROMANS: I'm Christine Romans. Carol Costello has the day off this morning.
We are watching the opening bell on Wall Street just rang.
BERMAN: There it is!
ROMANS: A milestone for the Dow.
BERMAN: Confetti, champagne.
ROMANS: Right off the bat, 16,002. We've never seen this level on the Dow Jones industrial average. Record setting run last week, really a record setting year. These are gains that bring the year's gains to a very substantial 22 percent plus on the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The NASDAQ up 33 percent for the year.
