Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

America's New War: Cleanup Continues in New York

Aired September 20, 2001 - 07:26   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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Here you're beginning to see a shift of winds here in New York City this morning. Rainfall expected, hopefully not like that that we saw at the end of last week, which, of course, severely slowed down the rescue and clean up operations.

For the very latest, let's go down to Bill Hemmer, who is standing by near the site of this very big rescue and search site.

BILL HEMMER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Paula, good morning to you.

As you mentioned the weather, it is expected to have showers move into the area later today and throughout this entire ordeal. The weather has been absolutely extraordinary. Mother Nature has cooperated in a way that has really helped rescuers do the work behind me about two blocks south here near the area known as ground zero.

However, that could change, again, as those showers move in, expected some time before noon Eastern time today. As for the numbers, no change from last evening, 233 confirmed dead, still 5,422 missing and presumed dead. And another reminder throughout the night last night about this terrible tragedy. Six firefighters laid to rest and two Port Authority police officers.

As for today, Tony Blair, the British prime minister, expected in New York City. We saw the French president, Jacques Chirac, here yesterday. And for the first time also two lanes of the Brooklyn Bridge are reopening to commuters heading back into Manhattan.

Also, there were thousands of residents throughout the area here in lower Manhattan where they have not been able to go back into their apartments and into their homes. We are told somewhat good news today. About 1,500 have been given permission to return to their homes and their apartments. We expect that to happen throughout the morning here.

Also, plans coming together for a huge service on Sunday at Yankee Stadium. We expect 60,000 people, families directly affected by the tragedy, to be in attendance. But in addition to that, plans coming together also for giant Jumbotrons to be set up throughout the boroughs of New York City for thousands of people that we expect to gather around those screens to watch that service.

As the mayor of New York City said yesterday so eloquently, he said, "We're going to hurt tomorrow and the next day for a month, for a year, maybe forever -- Paula.

ZAHN: All right, thanks so much, Bill. We'll be checking in with you throughout this morning.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com