Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Saturday
16 Counties Added To Federal Disaster List Because Of Isabel
Aired September 20, 2003 - 14:38 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: As we've said, up and down the Mid- Atlantic Coast it is a day of picking up the pieces and assessing the damage from Hurricane Isabel. CNN's Kris Osborn is with us now from an area that's still reeling from the storm's fury, Pacoson (ph), Virginia. And I believe they'll probably be reeling from it for quite some time, Kris.
KRIS OSBORN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, indeed, Heidi. They are still reeling here in Pacoson (ph), Virginia. Just within the last few minutes, Heidi, a press conference wrapped up of sorts. It involved Homeland Defense Secretary Tom Ridge, along with Virginia Senator Warner, along with Senator Allen, and, of course, Virginia Governor John Warner.
A couple of things about this press conference. They were essentially here to both inspire and console those facing the wrath, if you will, of Hurricane Isabel, facing cleanup and home damage, et cetera. In addition to that, there was some news to emerge, as Secretary Ridge talked about how 16 more counties are now added to the list of 31 counties currently eligible for federal disaster relief funds.
In addition to that, Governor Warner talked about this being the most extensive power outage in the history of the Commonwealth. He said a number of those homes without power has gone down from 1.8 million to 1.2 million. Let's listen to Secretary Ridge.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM RIDGE, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: Our job right now, now that the storm has passed, is to get people on the ground so that people-to-people contact, eyeball to eyeball, what are your problems? Here's how we can help you try to solve those problems, work with individuals, work with families, work with businesses, work with your community leaders, remove the debris and move this as quickly as possible.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
OSBORN: There was also a lot of discussion from both Secretary Ridge and Governor Warner about state and federal cooperation, of course, because these days, with the creation of the cabinet level position of Homeland Security Department, indeed, that FEMA is now part of the Department of Homeland Security. So there was discussion about that, and on that point, Secretary Ridge, Heidi, said that several hundred more federal authorities, FEMA members, essentially, will be coming down to this area, both North Carolina and Virginia, to set up additional disaster relief centers to help people get more water, get more food and, of course, assist in any way they might need -- Heidi.
COLLINS: All right. Kris Osborn coming to us from Pacoson (ph), Virginia. Thanks so much, Kris.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Isabel>
Aired September 20, 2003 - 14:38 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: As we've said, up and down the Mid- Atlantic Coast it is a day of picking up the pieces and assessing the damage from Hurricane Isabel. CNN's Kris Osborn is with us now from an area that's still reeling from the storm's fury, Pacoson (ph), Virginia. And I believe they'll probably be reeling from it for quite some time, Kris.
KRIS OSBORN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, indeed, Heidi. They are still reeling here in Pacoson (ph), Virginia. Just within the last few minutes, Heidi, a press conference wrapped up of sorts. It involved Homeland Defense Secretary Tom Ridge, along with Virginia Senator Warner, along with Senator Allen, and, of course, Virginia Governor John Warner.
A couple of things about this press conference. They were essentially here to both inspire and console those facing the wrath, if you will, of Hurricane Isabel, facing cleanup and home damage, et cetera. In addition to that, there was some news to emerge, as Secretary Ridge talked about how 16 more counties are now added to the list of 31 counties currently eligible for federal disaster relief funds.
In addition to that, Governor Warner talked about this being the most extensive power outage in the history of the Commonwealth. He said a number of those homes without power has gone down from 1.8 million to 1.2 million. Let's listen to Secretary Ridge.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM RIDGE, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: Our job right now, now that the storm has passed, is to get people on the ground so that people-to-people contact, eyeball to eyeball, what are your problems? Here's how we can help you try to solve those problems, work with individuals, work with families, work with businesses, work with your community leaders, remove the debris and move this as quickly as possible.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
OSBORN: There was also a lot of discussion from both Secretary Ridge and Governor Warner about state and federal cooperation, of course, because these days, with the creation of the cabinet level position of Homeland Security Department, indeed, that FEMA is now part of the Department of Homeland Security. So there was discussion about that, and on that point, Secretary Ridge, Heidi, said that several hundred more federal authorities, FEMA members, essentially, will be coming down to this area, both North Carolina and Virginia, to set up additional disaster relief centers to help people get more water, get more food and, of course, assist in any way they might need -- Heidi.
COLLINS: All right. Kris Osborn coming to us from Pacoson (ph), Virginia. Thanks so much, Kris.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Isabel>
