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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Historic Blizzard Pounds the Northeast; Obama Flying to Saudi Arabia; Japan & Jordan Work to Free ISIS Hostages

Aired January 27, 2015 - 05:00   ET

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

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ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking news this morning. The Northeast stopped in its tracks by an historic monster blizzard. Fifty-eight million people -- 58 million buried by feet of snow. Hit with hurricane-force winds in some spots.

Flights canceled. Schools closed. Driving banned. People told stay at home or else.

We are breaking down the latest from all over the Northeast. Our live team coverage starts now.

Welcome to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm John Berman out in the snow, just outside CNN headquarters here in New York. It is Tuesday, January 27th. It is 5:00 a.m. in the East.

This morning, this is the blizzard of 2015. We are in the middle of it right now across the northeast. Freezing temperatures. Snowfall amounts 2 feet or more in some areas. The wind has been bad, 70-mile- an-hour wind gusts in areas. You see the plows here in New York out in force.

As many as 58 million people in a dozen states are being hit by this storm. There have been widespread travel bans, public transit shutdown. Only emergency vehicles allowed on the roads in so many places.

Airlines have canceled a lot of flights. Close to 8,000 flights today and yesterday. Hundreds more canceled for tomorrow.

Students, most of you at home, snow days in most of the blizzard areas. Public schools shutdown in New York City, Boston, Philadelphia. Mayors and governors across the area warning people to stay off the roads and stay home.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIPS)

MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO (D), NEW YORK: Safety first. Your life matters the most and your health and safety matters the most. So the smart thing is to stay back. Any employer who is treating their employees the wrong way will certainly have something to say about that. This is not a time for employers to be cheapskates.

GOV. CHARLIE BAKER (R), MASSACHUSETTS: Whiteout conditions and treacherous roads will make driving extremely dangerous. I can't stress this part enough. Please stay off the roads.

(END VIDEO CLIPS)

BERMAN: All right. This has been going on for hours already. There are hours still to come.

I want to bring in meteorologist Derek Van Dam tracking this storm for us.

Derek, where are we right now?

DEREK VAN DAM, AMS METEOROLOGIST: John, the storm has very eerie characteristics of almost a hurricane. It's gotten the band of the snow bands as they move across parts of New England, stretching from Maine, all the way through eastern parts of Long Island, into New York City as well. It is just we are on the outer periphery of the heaviest snow bands. It is working toward Connecticut and eastern sections of Long Island, stretching all the way to Boston, Massachusetts, is where we have the heaviest snow bands at the moment. They will get upwards of up to 2 to possibly 3 feet.

BERMAN: Two to three feet. I mean, there is a bunch areas getting hit by a ton of snow right now. Here in New York, probably 7 or 8 inches behind us right. Yes, maybe another five to come.

We've got pretty steady snowfall through noon on Tuesday. And then, we start to see that taper off. But just because the snow is done, it doesn't mean the storm is done, John. We've got the wind that is a factor as well. That's going to drive down visibility on the roads. It will allow for the blowing and drifting to take place.

So, these plows helping the roads in New York City -- well, the snow is going to be blown back on the roads creating slick spots.

BERMAN: Yes, be careful. Derek Van Dam, thanks so much. I really appreciate it.

In New York state is getting hit, a foot of snow here. Out in Long Island, much, much worse.

This is a big impact. Governor Andrew Cuomo has declared a state of emergency for the state's southern counties. Thousands of flights have been canceled at New York airports. All of the flights at LaGuardia. Non-emergency travel -- non-emergency travel is banned on New York City streets which means you are not supposed to come out and drive at all.

Subway, rail and bus service suspended. New York City schools closed today as are many other school systems in the state.

I want to get more on the conditions out there right now.

Let's bring in CNN's Chris Welch.

Chris, where are you right now?

CHRIS WELCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John, we actually just turned east on Fifth Avenue, we're driving south on Fifth Avenue, by the iconic Apple Store., the big glass cube. Take a look in front of me here, our dash cam camera here. We are, of course, in the CNN roving vehicle. We have two sanitation vehicles in front of us.

Potentially, two garbage trucks -- but these garbage trucks have been outfitted with snow plows. We heard the mayor describing the force of snow removal vehicles. We know they had 1,800 dedicated snow plows. They also added about 500 additional snow plows they attached on to these garbage trucks.

But let me tell you what we have seen. We have been out here on the roads throughout the entire night. We started about 5:00 p.m. last night. We went through some of these bands and some of the spurts of snowfall. It has been fine snow at times. Coming down heavier at some times and other times no snow at all.

But it has accumulated. The snow plows have done a fairly good job of keeping the snow clear. When the plows come through, it makes for a slick surface. It makes it a little tougher as you are driving.

But we do know that yesterday, it seems like the vast majority of the city, commuters, they heeded the governor and Mayor de Blasio's warnings to leave work early and get out as quickly as possible, so that by the time this 11:00 traffic ban was in effect, that most people were actually off the street. They did seem to listen to the mayor and governor -- John.

BERMAN: Really is quiet out here on the streets. Granted, it is after 5:00 a.m. by this time, you would see more people out walking. And, certainly, the cars just aren't here at all.

Chris Welch, thank you.

That is the situation in New York. Massachusetts really is the bull's-eye. It is bearing the brunt of the nor'easter. The new governor of Massachusetts, Charlie Baker, has declared a state of emergency there. Boston's Logan Airport is shutdown until late tomorrow. There's a statewide ban on all motor vehicle travel in place.

You will be fined $500 if you violate that. Don't. Stay home. The emergency vehicles need the space to operate right now.

Hundreds of school systems, including those in Boston have been canceled. Classes have been canceled today. No mail today in Boston. The postal service has closed many post offices across the state.

National reporter Nick Valencia joins us now live from the ground in Boston. Nick, I can actually hear the wind up there right now. What is it

like?

NICK VALENCIA, CNN NATIONAL REPORTER: You were talking to Chris Welch a while ago in New York. It is more of the same here in Boston.

The wind has really started to pick up in the last hour, and that's causing lots of problems. This is probably the most empty we have seen the streets in the overnight hours of traveling through the city. The cars that we do see on the roads right now at this hour are emergency vehicles. Massachusetts Department of Transportation tweeting a while ago they have more than 3,500 personnel working on the streets trying to get them clear, trying to get these streets functioning. But that will probably be a lot longer than expected.

Those streets expected to stay empty like this, hopefully, throughout the rest of the day. This blizzard warning expected to last well through Wednesday. The height of the storm was last hour according to the governor, we saw it pick up here and it seems to sort of be sustained. That wind you were talking about, John, continuing to blow strong out here.

Fortunately, though, and much like the situation in New York, people listened to the advice of local officials and stayed indoors. We did see a handful of people on the streets, having fun enjoying the snowfall. But for the most part, streets are empty, and that's the good news here. No reports of injuries, no reports of accidents in the couple of hours that we spent overnight.

We saw one stranded car, one stranded vehicle. I also talked to a taxi driver who was travelling on the interstates. He said he also did see himself some spun out cars. We haven't heard reports of injuries or damage related to car accidents. That is also some more good news here in Boston, John.

BERMAN: Yes, and, Nick Valencia, you bring up a good point. This is the great part of the story. At least so far, we are not getting reports of any huge numbers of accidents, because people did mostly heed the warnings and stay inside.

We are not getting huge reports of power outages across the states yet. Hopefully that will still be the case. Hopefully the power companies were able to prepare enough time. Preparation makes such a difference.

Our thanks to Nick Valencia in Boston. Let's check now with Rhode Island. Rhode Island, the ocean state being hit hard as well. There's a state of emergency declared by the governor there. All flights canceled at T.F. Green Airport in Providence. There is a strictly enforce travel ban now in place on the roads.

Classes canceled at public schools in Providence, also the University of Rhode Island and Brown University.

Our Sara Ganim on the ground in Providence.

Good morning, Sara.

SARA GANIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, John.

Yes, we are definitely seeing that people are heeding to the travel ban, which is really good news, because just in the last hour, the winds have really picked up. We expect it only to begin to peak in the next hour or so. These winds are tropical storm-force winds, gusts up to 45 miles an hour. You feel that when you are standing out here. That makes it feel different is these winds, and, really, the pelting you can take out here. I hope you can see that, John.

Now, you mention power outages. We are not seeing many of those in the providence area. That could partly be because the winds are coming from the north over land, which is protecting Providence in a way rather than coming from the south over the coast which could be brutal. It is cold here. It is about 18 degrees. It feels like negative 2.

Now, another thing to mention that is important about Rhode Island, it's a very coastal state. And every single one of those coastal communities in the state this morning is under a flood watch because high tide coincides with the peak of the storm, with the worst of it.

So, that is an important thing for Rhode Islanders to know -- John.

BERMAN: Yes, big concerns about coastal flooding in Rhode Island and up the coast in Massachusetts and Maine as well.

All right. Sara Ganim, stay strong, stay warm. This is going to go on for several hours.

Christine Romans, we are just in the middle of it right now.

ROMANS: We really are. And, as you said, John, we're not seeing a lot of power outages, but power companies say they have line men and tree cutters on the stand by. Some brought in hundreds of people from the Midwest with their gear and their trucks in case this gets worse.

Thanks, John.

You know, New Jersey walloped by the blizzard. There is a statewide travel ban. Mass transit shutdown as the storm intensified overnight. Newark airport remains open, but cancellations out numbering departures and arrivals. No question. Newark is open, but please check your flights. Many schools are closed around the state.

Governor Chris Christie says they have been here before.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE (R), NEW JERSEY: We had Hurricane Irene, we had Hurricane Sandy. For better or worse, we know how to deal with these situations. I feel completely confident that the folks behind me and all the people that work for them are prepared, but you never know how bad the conditions are going to be.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Pennsylvania also operating under a state of emergency this morning. Hundreds of flights of Philadelphia's international airport have been canceled. There's limited public transportation. Pennsylvania's governor says stay off the roads if you can.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. TOM WOLF (D), PENNSYLVANIA: There will be snow on the roads. Big heavy equipment out there. So be careful, if you have to drive. If you don't have to drive, don't drive.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Flights are not moving this morning at the major airports in the Northeast. Newark, JFK, LaGuardia, Boston and LaGuardia. There is the tally. More than 4,500 flights canceled for today, another 3,200 canceled yesterday.

Now, The two biggest carriers, American and United, they have decided to cancel all their flights in New York, Boston and Philadelphia. Airlines are hoping to resume normal service tomorrow, weather permitting. They're also letting passengers rebook flights for free. Flight cancellations affecting more than 250,000 travelers. That, of course, ripples throughout the country. The backlog could make traveling a nightmare through the end of the week.

We are following all of the breaking news this morning. Historic blizzard pounding the Northeast. New video and developments from overnight right after the break.

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BERMAN: This is the blizzard of 2015. Hitting the northeastern United States this morning. Let me tell you one thing about what is behind us. There is a vehicle ban in New York, except for sanitation vehicles, except for the vehicles clearing the streets.

I've been out there for about two hours, I've seen two cars, that's a third over here, although that's a Jeep. That may be an official vehicle. There is a van.

In two hours, no more than four vehicles driving by what is one of the busiest areas in all of New York City normally. Some 58 million people in 12 states affected by this snowfall, more than 2 feet in some areas. The wind gusting up more than 70 miles per hour in some spots. Widespread travel bans, non-emergency vehicles told to stay off the roads. And like I said, we are seeing people obey that here.

Public transport shutdown here and other cities. Thousands of flights have canceled. Airports pretty much shutdown, big ones too. A lot of schools and universities closed for the day over this wide area.

It is a day to stay home and stay safe and stay warm.

How long will it all last? Meteorologist Derek Van Dam is here with me.

VAN DAM: OK. Well, I think we want to start with the snow totals we are getting in. Roughly 16 inches now reported in Plymouth, and they've got another 12 to go.

BERMAN: Plymouth, Massachusetts.

VAN DAM: Plymouth, Massachusetts. That's right. Even Massachusetts even in upwards of a foot, even more, and there is still more to come.

We've got another few hours of the really intense snow bands and we will see that taper off in the greater New York City area. We focus on Baltimore and parts of Rhode Island and into Connecticut and eastern parts of Long Island.

BERMAN: And the wind, how has the wind been and how long will the wind last?

VAN DAM: That's right. Seventy-mile-an-hour wind gusts measured at Nantucket. That is bringing in the factor of wind-chill conditions. You can feel it in the air in New York City. You can imagine what it is like on the coast.

BERMAN: You know, one of things that's interesting, we talk about snow totals and plows going behind us right now. It is hard to tell in some places, because the wind is blowing so hard. You can walk by a drift, even in New York with 1.5 feet. The wind is moving the snow around.

VAN DAM: That's the beauty of wind and snow, especially this light, fluffy snow. So, they will take it and blow it over. The plows seem a bit feudal.

BERMAN: Yes. And, again, even though the plows have been through here. There is still, you know, five or six inches caked on the roads. I have seen four vehicles trying to get by. I don't know how they are managing to get by. It is not easy driving today.

Derek Van Dam, thanks so much.

VAN DAM: You're welcome.

BERMAN: Christine?

ROMANS: All right. We are following the latest on the blizzard all morning long. But, first, breaking overnight, President Obama on his way right now to Saudi Arabia, a visit that it could be incredibly important for the war on terror. We are live after the break.

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ROMANS: Welcome back. Twenty-one minutes past the hour.

Breaking overnight: President Obama ending an historic visit to India earlier this morning, pledging $4 billion this loans and investments to release what he calls the untapped potential of the world's two largest democracies. The president right now is in the air, he's on his way to Saudi Arabia to pay respects to the late King Abdullah and to reinforce America's crucial alliance with Saudi Arabia, and its newly appointed king.

Michelle Kosinski joining us this morning live from New Delhi.

Michelle, what do the president and new king of Saudi Arabia expected to discuss?

MICHELLE KOSINSKI, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Christine.

Well, the president is bringing a big delegation there. This partnership is important especially right now, of course, because of ISIS. We know Saudi Arabia is a key partner in the fight against ISIS in that region.

The U.S. sees that as a vital relationship. One has managed to gather other nations because of that support. So, they're definitely going to talk about counter terrorism operations and Yemen. The Houthi rebels to cause the government to resign, a government that the U.S. was working with are a Shia offshoot.

But the U.S. doesn't believe they are directly controlled by the Saudis. But the U.S. wants to discuss that situation with Saudi Arabia and also continued U.S. counterterror operations in Yemen, which the U.S. insists will continue. Also the situation in Iran also.

One topic, though, that was asked of U.S. officials traveling on the trip, will you bring up human rights? I mean, there's the blogger just sentenced to lashings there for what he posted online. You know, the treatment of women in Saudi Arabia, convictions and executions there lately.

And what officials said that comes up frequently with Saudi Arabia. We continue the discussion there frequently. But we took that as a no, not on this trip. On a trip that has another purpose, mainly condolences and meeting with the new king, generally what we hear from U.S. officials is that there is a time and place for those kinds of sensitive discussions and clearly this is not it -- Christine.

ROMANS: All right. Michelle Kosinski for us this morning in New Delhi. Thank you, Michelle.

Japan is now looking to Jordan to help gain a freelance journalist freedom from ISIS. A Japanese envoy in Jordan says he is determined to coordinate with Amman to bring Japanese hostage Kenji Goto and a Jordanian pilot held by those militants home. The pilot has been held by ISIS since he crashed in December. It is not clear when the pilot's possible release entered the picture in the negotiations.

Kurdish forces regained control of the border town of Kobani. Late last year, the world's eyes on them, ISIS fighters controlled much of the city. They even posted videos with the flag flying in the region. Kobani is the main focus of the U.S. airstrikes for the past four months. Defeat now deprives ISIS of a key border crossing into Turkey.

Fidel Castro breaking his silence over Cuba's attempt to restore diplomatic ties with the U.S. In his words aren't exactly warm and fuzzy. Castro says, in part, quote, "I don't trust the policy of the United States nor have I exchanged a word with them. But this doesn't mean I reject a pacific solution to the conflicts." Castro adds, "We will always defend cooperation and friendship with all the people of the world, including with our political adversaries."

A drone that crash-landed on the White House grounds leaves concerns about security this morning. The Secret Service says a hobbyist was behind the crash of a two-foot long quad copter. Officials say the man came forward to say he lost control of the device in flight.

Breaking news out of Libya this morning, reports of a car bomb outside the hotel in Tripoli followed by two gunmen shooting their way into the hotel. A hotel spokesman says the gunmen then moved to a top floor. The spokesman says the hotel guests and staff have been evacuated to safety. It's not clear if there are additional casualties. We will follow this story and keep you updated as learn more.

Breaking news this morning: the historic blizzard shutting down some of the country's biggest cities. The northeast hit with dangerous snow and high winds. Travel bans remain in effect. We are breaking down everything you need to know, next.

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