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Can Washington D.C. Handle a Manmade Disaster?; Interview With New York Governor George Pataki

Aired June 28, 2006 - 11:32   ET

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

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, this week's wet weather along the beltway has people wondering if this is how D.C. responds to a natural disaster. Can the city really handle a manmade one?
CNN's Brian Todd investigates for "THE SITUATION ROOM."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Nearly a foot of rain in some places -- flash floods, motorists stranded, traffic lights out. At least five U.S. government facilities closed. What if this weather barrage been a terrorist attack?

RICHARD FALKENRATH, CNN SECURITY ANALYST: If this had been a life-threatening incident for lots of people, I think we would have pandemonium on the streets.

TODD: CNN analyst Richard Falkenrath is an expert on homeland security, who's about to join New York's police force as its director of counterterroism. Falkenrath and other experts say Washington has a poor record handling population loads during natural disasters. Command and control, they say, a huge problem. Too many jurisdictions in the metropolitan D.C. area with no one agency or official making key decisions. Officials at the D.C. Emergency Management Agency say they can't help it if roads flood and lights malfunction in bad weather.

But if terrorists strike...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We have traffic management plans rerouting efforts, and then we're not looking everybody coming in and going out at the same time. So we have plans in place to kind of maneuver folks to get out of town.

TODD: But Falkenrath worries about another factor all major cities would face during a terrorist attack.

FALKENRATH: If the people stuck in those traffic jams felt that they were at risk themselves or their families were at risk somewhere else, I think you'd have a lot of very problematic behavior by individual commuters.

TODD: As for the federal government, agencies still closed, like the Justice Department, have kicked in their so-called continuity of operations plan to function from other locations. Experts say those plans, for the most part, have worked well. (on camera): But the experts we spoke to, along with the Department of Homeland Security, in a recent report point out that D.C. Is hardly alone here, that most major cities have poor contingency plans for evacuation and other emergency procedures. And experts point out it's almost impossible to evacuate any major city efficiently under almost any circumstances.

Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Brian Todd is part of the team covering the world for "THE SITUATION ROOM." Join Wolf Blitzer weekday afternoons at 4:00 Eastern and in primetime at 7:00.

So we are focusing on Washington D.C., Maryland, but also Upstate New York, especially the Binghamton area.

And on the phone with us now is Governor George Pataki, looking at what's happening in his state.

Governor?

GOV. GEORGE PATAKI, NEW YORK: Good morning.

KAGAN: Good morning. A wet one for much of your state today.

PATAKI: Well, we have horrible flooding in a large part of Upstate New York, and I've declared an emergency in 10 counties, including, as you mentioned, Broome County, where Binghamton is, where I am right now. The flooding is mostly in the southern tier of New York State and the Mohawk Valley. Interstate 88 is closed between exits nine and 10. And the throughway is experiencing flooding in the Mohawk Valley, and parts of that are not open as well.

But we just urge everybody to avoid travel, if they can, look out for their neighbors. There are more than 10,000 people right now who are out of their homes, and we're going to continue to have a very strong response to this terrible flood.

KAGAN: so you are there in Binghamton right now as we're talking to you?

PATAKI: Yes, I am.

KAGAN: And what -- how would you respond to what you're seeing?

PATAKI: Well, Binghamton is part of the city that's had to be evacuated. It's where the Susquehanna and Shenango Rivers have their confluence, and they have both flooded. Homes have been lost. We have had to evacuate thousands of people.

But as of now, everything is very orderly and the emergency response is well coordinated and strong.

While there are no more rains here, we are concerned that the Susquehanna hasn't peaked yet. And we have some real concerns over the next few hours as to what might happen.

KAGAN: What are those specific concerns, sir?

PATAKI: Well, we're worried about the wall of the Susquehanna. It hasn't peaked yet. And while we have evacuated significant parts of Binghamton, we're hopeful that we can avoid having to evacuate more if, in fact, that wall does breach.

KAGAN: And then so you talk about the state of emergency that you declared for the 10 counties, what does then that provide for local officials?

PATAKI: Well, what it does is makes sure that the local officials have all the support they can possibly get from the state, or hopefully from federal authorities as well.

Last night, we anticipated this problem, and I prepositions and called up about 125 National Guard troops, as well as conservation officers, park officers and state police. And as of now, we're able to respond to any request the counties have had for emergency assistance, and we're just going to continue to work together.

But that state of emergency does allow authorities to order people from their homes, highways to be closed, people not to travel. And we are urging people to avoid unnecessary travel in those 10 counties, and to make sure they look out for their friends, their neighbors; particularly if they are senior citizens or people with disabilities, make sure they're okay.

KAGAN: Well, we wish you well. It's challenging times right now in your state of New York. But thanks for taking the time to talk to us and our viewers.

PATAKI: Thank you, Daryn. We'll get through it.

KAGAN: All right. Governor George Pataki from the state of New York joining us on the phone from Binghamton, New York.

No visitors allowed in the emergency room. That's how it usually works, right? Well, not always. The controversy next in health news.

Your watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Very difficult day in Brownsville, Texas, today as a U.S. soldier who was kidnapped and brutally killed in Iraq is being remembered this hour.

Let's go now to Brownsville, Texas, and a memorial for Private First Class Kristin Menchaca. Our Ed Lavandera is standing by with that -- Ed.

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Daryn.

Well, the memorial mass is about halfway through now. The bishop of Brownsville just wrapped up his sermon just a short while ago and spoke of Kristin Menchaca, describing him as a soldier who was devoted to his duty, had the courage to stand for freedom. And talked about the pride that not only his family had for him, but this town of Brownsville, where he went to middle school and high school as well.

Private Menchaca has a large family. Many of them have turned out for here. There are about 300 or so people inside this city auditorium that had been turned into a church for this event. And there is also a large contingency of motorcycle rides who will escort the processional as it leaves here from the civic center to the cemetery, which is about a mile away or so.

And we've talked a lot about how Private Menchaca had dreams of becoming a border patrol agent after his career in the army. And he didn't get to fulfill that dream, but because the border patrol had heard the reports of what he aspired to be, they are turning out a color guard that will, we are told, perform bagpipes. That is normally a sign of respect devoted to border patrol agents who have fallen in the line of duty, but they will turn out today, we're told, at the grave site ceremony and play the bagpipes for Private Kristian Menchaca.

This has been an emotional day and several days throughout the city. From the moment Private Menchaca's remains arrived here in Brownsville two days ago, people have been talking about this young man. There are signs all over town, flags around Brownsville are flying at half staff. And quite frankly, when you talk to a lot of people, it is by the very brutal nature of how Private Menchaca was killed, along with Thomas Tucker of Oregon, that has really struck a chord here with many people who have just been disgusted by what they have heard happened to this young man.

KAGAN: And, Ed, did they need to move it to this larger facility because so many people in Brownsville wanted to show up and pay their respects?

LAVANDERA: Absolutely. You know, the -- they essentially converted the inside of this auditorium, which is a place that normally holds any type of event, a city function, that sort of thing. They have brought in an altar. Yesterday there was a wake and viewing. Essentially, Private Menchaca's remains have lied and stayed here all day yesterday.

Hundreds of people have come through here to pay their respects to his immediate family, his young wife and his mother, as well as extended uncles and cousins. And it's a large family, as I mentioned, and they have taken up the first five or six rows of the service in there. This is a quiet, tight-knit family kind of thrust into the spotlight because of what happened to Private Menchaca almost two weeks ago.

KAGAN: Ed Lavandera. Very sad day in Brownsville, Texas. Ed, thank you.

We're about 15 minutes away from a lot of international news coming to you at the top of the hour. Jim Clancy heads that up -- Jim.

JIM CLANCY, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, Daryn.

Well, the number one story this hour, the most dangerous story in the world, so to speak, continues to be in Gaza. The Israeli troops have moved into the area, destroying bridges, a power plant and really taking up positions there. But they're not confronting the Palestinians behind the barricades. We're going to get a firsthand eyewitness account, more than one of them.

Another hot spot in the world today, Afghanistan. That's where we find the U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. She is offering words of support in public for Hamid Karzai, the embattled president, probably behind the scenes offering a bit of advice as well. He has not been able to deliver the kind of reconstruction aid and security that had been promised to the Afghans. Some say he's losing support. Very important story.

All of that and much more coming up on "YOUR WORLD TODAY," right at noon.

KAGAN: All right, Jim, thank you.

Your loved one's fighting for their life, and you are asked to leave the room. It is standard procedure in hospitals until now.

CNN's Tom Foreman filed this story for "A.C. 360."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): When Denise Hanlon's father, Eddie, was rushed to a Boston hospital, his heart failing from long illness, she expected him to die. She did not expect to be invited into the emergency room while the medical team tried to save him.

DENISE HANLON, PATIENT'S DAUGHTER: It was traumatic to see him. Although it was also heartwarming to see so many people trying to do the best they could.

FOREMAN (on camera): And you never had any second thoughts about this?

HANLON: Not at all. Not one. No. It just seems, how could we not be with my dad if we had the opportunity to?

FOREMAN (voice-over): Massachusetts General is among a growing number of hospitals. By some accounts, close to half, that now allow families into emergency rooms even at life and death moments.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Will somebody please call my mom.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No problem, just hold on.

FOREMAN: The controversial idea was spurred by TV shows like "E.R." have increased public understanding of what goes on at such times. And by nurses, like Patricia Mian, who spent years working with families as loved ones fight for life.

PATRICA MIAN, PSYCHIATRIC NURSE, MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL: And what they would be saying is, why can't I be with him? I need to see him. I want to be with him.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Often a psychiatric nurse will offer the option to the family and say, if you would like to be with your family member while the doctors and nurses are trying to resuscitate them, I will accompany you, and stand there with you, answer questions and make sure you're there with them.

FOREMAN: It's a simple idea, yet fiercely opposed by many doctors. They argue that distraught family members can distract medical teams, may be more prone to lawsuits. And as Dr. Stephen Smith says, may find the experience of seeing a loved one cut open shocked or more severely unsettling.

DR. STEPHEN SMITH, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER: Many of the things that we have to do in the trauma setting are done very quickly. They require literally split-second decisions, and can be quite invasive. I think that that's probably not a good time for an unprepared family member to be present in the resuscitation area.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So this is one of the resuscitation bays and this would be one of the ones that we would use.

FOREMAN: Mass. General's Chief of Emergency Services Alasdair Conn felt the same way. But he gave it a try. And says he has found families deal with both doctors and grief better this way.

DR. ALASDAIR CONN, MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL: The family members need to understand there's a lot of things going on and you just can't question and you can't begin to interfere. And also we have a nurse that goes in specifically helping to manage the patient.

MANN: They kiss the patient, they hug the patient, they stroke the patient while we're doing CPR. They aren't watching what's going on. They're so focused on being with that person.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We need antidote kits now.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: ... is 99.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She's seizing!

FOREMAN: Concerns remain. On TV, patients undergoing resuscitation often live. In life, 90 percent of the time they die. Supporters are not deterred.

CONN: If you were dying, would you want to be alone? Would you like your wife or your brother or your son or daughter to be 20 feet away? Would you rather be in there, holding hands for those last few minutes?

FOREMAN: Denise Hanlon lost her father, but found an answer to those questions. (on camera): Do you think it made a difference to your father that you were there?

HANLON: I'd like to think that it did.

FOREMAN (voice-over): It certainly made a difference for her.

Tom Foreman, CNN, Boston.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And you can see more of Tom's reporting on "ANDERSON COOPER 360," weeknights at 10:00 Eastern, 7:00 Pacific.

And to get your daily dose of health news online, logon to our Web site. You'll find the latest medical news, a health library and information on diet and fitness. The address is CNN.com/health.

Got beer? Well, I'm not asking for me, but leading into a story in South Dakota. A tribe there resorting to a beer blockade. It's all an effort to fight alcoholism. Indian leaders plan to set up roadblocks and confiscate beer purchased at stores off the reservation. Alcohol is banned on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, but stores in nearby Whiteclay, Nebraska, sell an estimated four million cans a year, mostly to Native Americans. Officials say alcoholism on the reservation is rampant.

Charlie in need of an angel. And this is Charlie. If you look closely, you will find an extra paw. Oh, my goodness. You see that? We'll show you again. Puppy's plight, coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Well, flooding has been our lead story for much of the morning here. This is Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Looks like they were able to get some kids in a raft and get them to drier ground.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: Let's end this one with an interesting story. Charlie is a pooch with a problem. Take a really close look at his right leg, right front. You can see there's two limbs there. He's able to get around pretty well for now, but doctors say the extra leg has got to go. Charlie is in an Alabama pet adoption program, which is hoping to raise the money for the operation. And once it's done, Charlie has a home waiting for him here in Georgia. The five-legged dog will have to stop by and meet my three-legged cat. Maybe they can work out a deal.

All right, we're going to wrap it up with that. Good luck to Charlie, and his vets and his new owners.

I'm Daryn Kagan. Keep watching.

"YOUR WORLD TODAY" is up next, with news happening across the globe and here at home. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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