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American Morning

Federal Government Open Today, Despite Storm

Aired December 05, 2002 - 08:03   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.


BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Let's get back to D.C. right now, the nations capital. A snow emergency in effect today.
And Kathleen Koch is knee deep in it so far, at least ankle deep, anyway -- how are you, Kathleen.

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We're doing great here, Bill.

As you can see, the snow is still coming down fast and furious. But, you know, life is going on as normal pretty much here in downtown Washington, D.C. Of course, over at the White House, President Bush is there. He's got a full schedule of events today. Going to be lighting the national Christmas tree later on tonight.

If we can take a shot of Union Station not too far from here, or even just looking at the roads up and down, you've got people who are traveling, going to work. The federal government is open today. They have given them a liberal leave policy, so those who can't get in through the snow -- and the snow is much worse around D.C. and not too bad here in downtown -- but those who can't get in are allowed to stay home today if they can't make it.

Now, if you're trying to fly, though, in or out of the Washington, D.C. area, it's going to be very dicey. Over at Reagan National Airport, they have only one runway open and they're really having a hard time keeping it clear because as soon as they clear it, that snow just comes right in and fills it in.

Dulles International Airport's doing a little bit better job. They've got a good three runways open. But still there are a lot of cancellations and a lot of delays. So anyone coming to this area or flying out is going to have to really double check with their airlines.

Amtrak is a real safe bet on a snow day. As they always say, they go in the snow. So the trains are moving really well north of the Washington, D.C. area. But going south, weather isn't as much of an issue as there are some signal problems that have some of those trains delayed. So, again, if you're traveling south of the D.C. area, even on trains, you're going to have to check and watch for some potential delays.

Lots of schools in the area are closed, with the exception of the schools here in Washington, D.C. proper. Within the city, they're still open. Sorry, is, the snowmen and the sliding are going to have to wait until after school. But, Bill, anyway, we're going to be here throughout the day. They're expecting we'll get up to nine to 10 inches before this is all over. That's the most snow we've had since January of 2000 -- back to you.

HEMMER: And more to come.

OK, there's January and February left, too, for those kids in school, too. Don't lose hope just yet.

Thank you, Kathleen.

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






Aired December 5, 2002 - 08:03   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Let's get back to D.C. right now, the nations capital. A snow emergency in effect today.
And Kathleen Koch is knee deep in it so far, at least ankle deep, anyway -- how are you, Kathleen.

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We're doing great here, Bill.

As you can see, the snow is still coming down fast and furious. But, you know, life is going on as normal pretty much here in downtown Washington, D.C. Of course, over at the White House, President Bush is there. He's got a full schedule of events today. Going to be lighting the national Christmas tree later on tonight.

If we can take a shot of Union Station not too far from here, or even just looking at the roads up and down, you've got people who are traveling, going to work. The federal government is open today. They have given them a liberal leave policy, so those who can't get in through the snow -- and the snow is much worse around D.C. and not too bad here in downtown -- but those who can't get in are allowed to stay home today if they can't make it.

Now, if you're trying to fly, though, in or out of the Washington, D.C. area, it's going to be very dicey. Over at Reagan National Airport, they have only one runway open and they're really having a hard time keeping it clear because as soon as they clear it, that snow just comes right in and fills it in.

Dulles International Airport's doing a little bit better job. They've got a good three runways open. But still there are a lot of cancellations and a lot of delays. So anyone coming to this area or flying out is going to have to really double check with their airlines.

Amtrak is a real safe bet on a snow day. As they always say, they go in the snow. So the trains are moving really well north of the Washington, D.C. area. But going south, weather isn't as much of an issue as there are some signal problems that have some of those trains delayed. So, again, if you're traveling south of the D.C. area, even on trains, you're going to have to check and watch for some potential delays.

Lots of schools in the area are closed, with the exception of the schools here in Washington, D.C. proper. Within the city, they're still open. Sorry, is, the snowmen and the sliding are going to have to wait until after school. But, Bill, anyway, we're going to be here throughout the day. They're expecting we'll get up to nine to 10 inches before this is all over. That's the most snow we've had since January of 2000 -- back to you.

HEMMER: And more to come.

OK, there's January and February left, too, for those kids in school, too. Don't lose hope just yet.

Thank you, Kathleen.

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