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CNN Saturday Morning News
A Damage Assessment After Hurricane Ivan Rips Through Jamaica; Ceremony at Ground Zero to Begin Shortly
Aired September 11, 2004 - 07:00 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.
DREW GRIFFIN, CNN ANCHOR: From the CNN Center in Atlanta, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
And it is Saturday, September 11.
7:00 a.m. in New York City.
6:00 a.m. in Kingston, Jamaica.
Good morning.
I'm Drew Griffin. BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Betty Nguyen.
Thanks so much for being we us today.
GRIFFIN: Here's what's happening right now. The winds and waves of hurricane Ivan battering the island of Jamaica. The eye of the storm passing just to the south of the island. But hurricane force winds extend out 45 miles from the center. Ivan, a category four hurricane with top sustained winds of 150 miles an hour. More on that in a minute.
The nation will pause a little later this morning to remember the horror of 9/11. It was three years ago today. There are ceremonies here in New York. This is a live picture of ground zero. Washington, Shanksville, Pennsylvania, all will have ceremonies on this third anniversary and CNN will carry many of these events live. The first ceremony begins at 8:40 this morning Eastern time here at the site of the World Trade Center in New York City.
Evidence of terror half a world away. Overnight, police in Jakarta, Indonesia released this security camera video of a truck bomb exploding Thursday outside of the Australian embassy. You see a small truck exploded outside the embassy gates. That blast killed nine people and injured more than 180.
Army Sergeant Charles Jenkins, accused of defecting to North Korea 39 years ago, has surrounded to a U.S. Army provost marshal in Japan. Jenkins facing six criminal charges, including desertion. He left North Korea in July for medical treatment.
NGUYEN: We are going into the eye of the storm. Hurricane Ivan is moving just south of Jamaica. We'll head to Kingston for a live report on just how bad the damage is. Plus, today marks a very somber anniversary, as the nation gathers together to remember. We'll take you to ceremonies marking the September 11 attacks.
And we'll visit an exhibit that shows how the world grieved with America after 9/11.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Dear Santa.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GRIFFIN: But our top story this morning is hurricane Ivan. It's the number three in the series of powerful hurricanes this season, now raking the island of Jamaica.
Karl Penhaul, our correspondent, is on the island. We want to get to him right now because the phone has been intermittent there -- Karl, what is the situation right now in Jamaica?
KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, there, Drew.
Kingston and the rest of the southern coast of Jamaica is still being pounded by this very powerful hurricane. It began coming ashore after dark, but then inexplicably, according to weather experts here, the hurricane took a left turn. So as it arrived to Jamaica, it took a left turn. So the eye has not passed over the island.
Now they say the hurricane is beginning to move northward again, so it could pass across the western edge of Jamaica. That has really surprised meteorologists a little. But these powerful winds are pounding the whole island.
Overnight, myself and cameraman Neil Holt (ph) were, we had to barricade ourselves within the toilets, the bathrooms of the hotel, to prevent danger from flying glass. And all through the night, we could hear windows in the upper reaches of the hotel shattering. Most of the guests had been evacuated to downstairs rooms to prevent injury from flying debris.
As we moved as nightfall came from an oceanside position back to the hotel, already at that stage damage did seem to be widespread. Power pylons were already down. Trees were already in the street. And another phenomenon that's been occurring here in Kingston, the phenomenon of looting. A number of armed Jamaican gangs were on the street robbing gas stations, robbing commercial centers. We arrived on the scene of one gas station. A few minutes earlier, police had been involved in a shootout with looters there.
In addition, talking to police this morning, just a few moments ago, they say it's still too early to get a full read on the impact of this storm because Kingston is still very much in the grip of the storm. But they do say one woman is missing. She's feared drowned. They also say that many people have been injured by flying debris, many of them as they tried to repair their homes after roofs had been ripped off.
The police also tell us there has been extensive flooding along the while southern coast, but say that it's only with first light, still about an hour, an hour and a half away, that they will be able to get an initial damage assessment.
Certainly, Drew, too early to say.
GRIFFIN: All right, we will be checking back with you, Karl, throughout this morning.
But sad here that Jamaica battling not only the elements, but criminals, as well -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Hurricane Ivan is expected to make landfall early next week somewhere in Florida. If it does, it'll be the third major hurricane to hit the Sunshine State in a month. Tourists and residents have been evacuating the Florida Keys for two days now and some residents are boarding up homes and businesses in an effort to ride out the storm.
Now, four hospitals have been evacuated in the Keys. Most of the patients were taken to Miami Hospital, but 20 surgical patients were flown to the Riverview Regional Medical Center, which is in Alabama.
We want to get the latest on where Ivan is.
And for that we go now to Rob Marciano -- Rob, how is it going with Ivan? Is it headed toward Florida and exactly where, do you know?
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, it's going to head in that general direction, that's for sure. Just to the south of Jamaica right now. It's got winds of 150 miles an hour. That makes it a strong category four storm and it's impressive on the satellite picture, that's for sure.
Good news for Jamaica residents, look, watch how this thing kind of heads toward Jamaica. There, it's about to head right into the heart of it and then it just takes a jog to the west. I mean that is, if anything, that's just some luck. But nonetheless, it's still on the right quadrant of the storm and that's why, that's where you typically get the strongest winds.
So even though it has jogged just a little bit farther to the south and the eye wall appears as though it's not going to clip Jamaica, at the very least, at the very most, I should say, it may clip the extreme western end. But it looks like right now that they're just getting hit with some wind and some rain, a lot of wind.
The reports out of Jamaica not getting any since 5:00 yesterday afternoon. So we really don't know what they're sustaining on the ground. But you can bet it's well over 100 miles an hour in spots. But this thing looks like it's going to scoot just to the south and then head toward the Cayman Islands. The official track of this takes it just to the south. If it went right over Jamaica, obviously that would be worse for Jamaican residents. But there are some mountains there that would have knocked down this thing quite a bit, maybe knocked it down to a category three storm. But as it stands now, it's going to head into some warn waters. It might even intensify to a category five status and then head somewhere over the western tip of Cuba, possibly right over Havana, as we go on through the next couple of days. But it will move rather slowly.
This is the forecast track for you. Tuesday morning at 2:00 in the morning shows it close to Florida. The past couple of days these shifts, as they get closer toward Cuba and toward the Florida peninsula, all the forecast tracks have been shifting to the west. So they've been slowing it down and shifting it to the west. And it appears as though we're going to have some problems in Florida, possibly, the panhandle of Florida; possibly west into Alabama and Mississippi or New Orleans. That's a possibility, as well.
Category four storms up to 155 miles an hour, structural destruction begins. Just to give you an idea between a four and a five, guys, you get twice as much destruction in a category five as you do a four. So there's a big difference as far as that's concerned.
We'll keep you posted throughout the morning.
NGUYEN: Hey, Rob, let me ask you something real quick.
Is it moving faster than Frances did?
MARCIANO: Well, it depends on when -- at what point with Frances. Let's see, Frances was moving only about two, three miles an hour when it approached Florida. It was moving about the same speed where it was right now, although Frances was farther to the north.
NGUYEN: OK.
MARCIANO: Typically they move about this speed and then as they closer, out of the easterly trades, they start to slow down. And that's what we're beginning to see now.
NGUYEN: All right.
Thank you.
Rob Marciano.
We'll be checking back with you throughout the day.
Thanks.
MARCIANO: OK.
GRIFFIN: The anniversary of September 11, the day the unimaginable happen. The country came under terrorist attack. It changed America forever. Three years later now, communities nationwide will pause to observe the tragedy.
CNN's Alina Cho joins us from ground zero, where parents and grandparents today, of those victims, will lead a ceremony this morning -- Alina, good morning.
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Drew, good morning to you.
It is a chilly but sunny day here on this third anniversary of September 11. Family members have begun to arrive here at the World Trade Center site. The ceremony, which will get under way about 90 minutes from now at 8:40 a.m., will begin with New York City Police Department and Fire Department bagpipers and drummers. They will carry a large flag down to the stage. This is the same flag that flew over the World Trade Center site in the days and weeks after September 11. That same flag also flew on a December 2001 space shuttle Endeavor mission to honor the victims, the families and the heroes of September 11.
Of course, there will be four moments of silence, twice to mark the times that each plane flew into the Twin Towers, twice to mark the times that each tower fell.
Of course, the names will be read, as well, all 2,749 names. That's 43 fewer than last year, mostly because of accounting errors. They will be read, as you mentioned, by the parents and the grandparents of the victims. Last year it was the children, this year the parents and the grandparents. As New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg says, it is to acknowledge their great sacrifice and to thank them for helping all of us shoulder the loss.
As the names are read, the family members will be able to descend the ramp to the lowest level of the World Trade Center site. That's seven stories below street level. There is a small reflecting pool there and they will be able to lay flowers. Of course, there will be dignitaries here today, including New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg; his predecessor, Rudy Giuliani; New York Governor George Pataki; and outgoing New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey.
The ceremony will last about three and a half hours. It is due to end about 12:00 Eastern time. But family members will be able to stay here until late this afternoon.
Also late this afternoon, a memorial will be dedicated to the Staten Island victims. There were 268 Staten Island victims in both World Trade Center attacks, both in 1993 and 2001. And, of course, tonight there will be the return of the popular Tribute In Light. Those are the parallel beams of light that shine up from ground zero. They will be turned on, those twin beams of light, at sundown, and will stay up until dawn tomorrow -- Drew.
GRIFFIN: Alina, we thank you for that.
And a reminder that we'll carry all of those events live here on CNN -- Betty.
NGUYEN: And speaking of that, St. John's Episcopal Church near the White House, President Bush and other dignitaries will attend a prayer and remembrance service. That gets under way in just a few minutes.
Then, at 8:46, President Bush leads a moment of silence at the White House. Another is observed at ground zero. And we'll bring all of those to you live right here on CNN.
So stay with CNN throughout the evening for our special September 11 coverage. Our prime time coverage begins at 8:00 Eastern with "CNN PRESENTS: AMERICA REMEMBERS." That is followed by a 9/11 special on "LARRY KING LIVE." And at 10:00, tune in for a special report on America's war against terror. That is on "CNN SATURDAY NIGHT."
GRIFFIN: Meanwhile, we are tracking the current news of the day. Hurricane Ivan, where is it headed? We're going to track this massive storm that right now is hitting Jamaica. We'll have forecasts throughout the morning on that and as they're updated. We should be getting something very soon on the new track.
And a programming note. HOUSE CALL with Dr. Sanjay Gupta is on today at 7:30 Eastern. That's an hour early. Today the doctor looks at how even an active person with great health care, like former President Clinton, can be caught off guard by heart disease.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
HOLLY FIRFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Women, make sure to get enough iron in your diet. A new study from Penn State says that iron may influence more than just your energy level. It can affect your memory.
Women aged 18 to 35 who had healthy iron levels in their blood finished computerized memory and attention tests more quickly and scored higher than women who were iron deficient or anemic. The study also revealed that the scores of iron deficient and anemic women increased to normal levels after taking iron supplements.
Iron in the blood carries oxygen to the brain to help keep you alert. Getting enough iron is critical for women, whose bodies absorb less iron than men, and lose it more quickly because of menstruation. If you don't get enough easily absorbable iron through red meat, scientists suggest taking an over the counter supplement.
Holly Firfer, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Dear America, may you be comforted in your time of grief and suffering. May your leaders have the wisdom of Solomon in deciding the right course of action.
From western Australia. (END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Sympathy poured in from around the world after September 11 -- from letters to pictures to signed fire helmets. We'll share some of it with you.
That's just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GRIFFIN: An older generation remembering a younger one in New York City today. The third anniversary of 9/11. Parents and grandparents will read the names of those killed in the attack on the World Trade Center. There will be four moments of silence, marking the moments the two planes hit the Twin Towers and when those towers fell.
A state of emergency remains in effect in Jamaica. The eye of hurricane Ivan passes just south of the island. That may have been a break. Forecasters say Ivan weakened slightly. It's still packing winds of 150 miles an hour. Ivan's heavy rains have already caused flooding in Jamaica. It is now moving toward the west at eight miles an hour.
Bill Clinton has gone home to recuperate. The former president was released from a New York hospital yesterday, four days after quadruple heart bypass surgery. He's now at his home in suburban New York and apparently already taking short walks.
Former President Bill Clinton had top quality health care and the best advice while in the White House. Still, he couldn't avoid heart disease. House Call today focuses on the lessons the rest of us can learn from President Clinton's experience. That's ahead at 7:30 Eastern time.
NGUYEN: Around the world today, remembrances of 9/11. American troops in Afghanistan are pausing in their mission. They're holding a service at the U.S. headquarters at Bagram Air Base. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul is also holding a ceremony.
Elsewhere, U.S. troops in Brandenburg, Germany are holding a Freedom Run to mark today's anniversary. And in Berlin, thousands are expected to take part in an open air prayer service.
GRIFFIN: The international sympathy for America just after 9/11 is now part of an exhibit currently on display at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library Museum in Atlanta. It's called "After 9/11: Messages from the World and Images of Ground Zero." Thousands of letters and other mementoes were sent to U.S. Embassies around the world. A hundred of those items are on display, along with pictures of ground zero taken by photographer Joel Meyerowitz.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward and freedom will be defended.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This letter is particularly moving, from a little boy in Canada. It says: "Dear Santa, I don't want no toys. Just want America to get better. I love you. Nick B."
This one just says, "Why?"
This crate is different from the others in that, again, it's messages. But it even includes memorabilia from New York.
One of the most interesting piece in this is the firefighter's helmet from Australia. And I just love what it says on the top, "To all stations, come home safe."
"Dear America, may you be comforted in your time of grief and suffering. May your leaders have the wisdom of Solomon in deciding the right course of action." From western Australia.
BUSH: I ask the American people to join me in saying a thanks for all the folks who have been fighting hard to rescue our fellow citizens and to join me in saying a prayer for the victims and their families.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GRIFFIN: Yet again on this morning shift, we are tracking a hurricane.
Rob Marciano is doing the duties this morning.
NGUYEN: It's a weekly event.
And, Rob, just looking at that forecast or that radar there, this thing is a monster storm, as well.
Are you there, Rob?
MARCIANO: Yes, it's pretty big, not quite as big as Frances, thank goodness. But it's pretty big nonetheless.
Before we get to that, I've got to take care of some business. We've got to ring the register here with some sponsorship we want to take care of. And that is your fair weather forecast. Maybe you're teeing up this afternoon and maybe you're just going to watch a little golf on TV.
So here you go.
MARCIANO: All right, here you go. Satellite imagery, and there is Jamaica. There's decent golf courses in Jamaica, a lot of resorts, especially on the southern tip of the island. And they are getting pounded with wind and rain today. But the good news this morning is that this category four storm has jogged a little bit to the south and to the west. So the eye wall itself is not going to go over the island, but the northern flank of the eye wall. And, as you know, because we've been dealing with hurricanes now for the past three weeks, the northern flank, the northeastern flank not always the best spot.
A category four storm. West-northwesterly movement at 10 miles an hour. And here is the forecast track -- through the Grand Caymans, probably increasing to category five status. We only have to bump it up by about five miles an hour.
Then heading across Havana or thereabouts late tonight, early tomorrow, and then into the eastern Gulf of Mexico, jogging west or east. That's going to be the question as we go through early Tuesday afternoon. It probably will still be a major hurricane when it gets into the Gulf of Mexico. So we will watch that and tweak it for you as the hours roll by.
That's the latest from the Weather Center -- back to you guys in the studio.
NGUYEN: All right.
Thank you, Rob.
Well, Drew, it's you're favorite time of the year.
GRIFFIN: It is?
NGUYEN: Yes, it is. Fashion Week.
GRIFFIN: Of course.
NGUYEN: Unfortunately, it wraps up Wednesday in New York, though, Drew. Eighty different designers are strutting their best stuff down runways in midtown Manhattan. Alice Roy's show ended with a surprise for the young designer. Her boyfriend enlisted the models to help him propose. Now, there's no word yet on her response. So, what will the fashionistas be wearing for spring 2005? You can look for softer, more feminine linens.
GRIFFIN: No word yet on her response?
NGUYEN: Hopefully it was a yes.
GRIFFIN: Hopefully it was an immediate yes. Otherwise...
NGUYEN: Looking at the applause, I'm thinking there was a yes there.
GRIFFIN: They were all dressed for it.
It is the number one killer of Americans and it doesn't discriminate, attacking presidents and poor people alike. Heart disease, what we need to know about it, is coming up next on House Call.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Now in the news, memorials begin in an hour to mark the third anniversary of the September 11th attacks. At the site of the World Trade Center, the names of each person killed will be read out loud after a moment of silence at 8:46 Eastern. That is the moment the first plane hit the North Tower.
The eye of hurricane Ivan skirted the island of Jamaica, sparing people the worst possible blow. But high winds and heavy rain are still flooding the area. Forecasters say the hurricane will move over Cuba next, then toward western Florida.
Army Special Armin Cruz is the first military intelligence operative to be charged in the prisoner abuse scandal at Abu Ghraib Prison in Iraq. Cruz pleaded guilty today in Baghdad and was sentenced to eight months confinement and a bad conduct discharge.
An explosion rocked a branch of the Saudi American Bank today at the Saudi city or in the Saudi city of Jetta. Al-Arabiya TV said the explosion was a bomb and some attackers are holed up in a nearby house. But there's no confirmation of that report.
That's the news.
Up next, Weekend "HOUSE CALL."
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Aired September 11, 2004 - 07:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DREW GRIFFIN, CNN ANCHOR: From the CNN Center in Atlanta, this is CNN SATURDAY MORNING.
And it is Saturday, September 11.
7:00 a.m. in New York City.
6:00 a.m. in Kingston, Jamaica.
Good morning.
I'm Drew Griffin. BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Betty Nguyen.
Thanks so much for being we us today.
GRIFFIN: Here's what's happening right now. The winds and waves of hurricane Ivan battering the island of Jamaica. The eye of the storm passing just to the south of the island. But hurricane force winds extend out 45 miles from the center. Ivan, a category four hurricane with top sustained winds of 150 miles an hour. More on that in a minute.
The nation will pause a little later this morning to remember the horror of 9/11. It was three years ago today. There are ceremonies here in New York. This is a live picture of ground zero. Washington, Shanksville, Pennsylvania, all will have ceremonies on this third anniversary and CNN will carry many of these events live. The first ceremony begins at 8:40 this morning Eastern time here at the site of the World Trade Center in New York City.
Evidence of terror half a world away. Overnight, police in Jakarta, Indonesia released this security camera video of a truck bomb exploding Thursday outside of the Australian embassy. You see a small truck exploded outside the embassy gates. That blast killed nine people and injured more than 180.
Army Sergeant Charles Jenkins, accused of defecting to North Korea 39 years ago, has surrounded to a U.S. Army provost marshal in Japan. Jenkins facing six criminal charges, including desertion. He left North Korea in July for medical treatment.
NGUYEN: We are going into the eye of the storm. Hurricane Ivan is moving just south of Jamaica. We'll head to Kingston for a live report on just how bad the damage is. Plus, today marks a very somber anniversary, as the nation gathers together to remember. We'll take you to ceremonies marking the September 11 attacks.
And we'll visit an exhibit that shows how the world grieved with America after 9/11.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Dear Santa.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GRIFFIN: But our top story this morning is hurricane Ivan. It's the number three in the series of powerful hurricanes this season, now raking the island of Jamaica.
Karl Penhaul, our correspondent, is on the island. We want to get to him right now because the phone has been intermittent there -- Karl, what is the situation right now in Jamaica?
KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, there, Drew.
Kingston and the rest of the southern coast of Jamaica is still being pounded by this very powerful hurricane. It began coming ashore after dark, but then inexplicably, according to weather experts here, the hurricane took a left turn. So as it arrived to Jamaica, it took a left turn. So the eye has not passed over the island.
Now they say the hurricane is beginning to move northward again, so it could pass across the western edge of Jamaica. That has really surprised meteorologists a little. But these powerful winds are pounding the whole island.
Overnight, myself and cameraman Neil Holt (ph) were, we had to barricade ourselves within the toilets, the bathrooms of the hotel, to prevent danger from flying glass. And all through the night, we could hear windows in the upper reaches of the hotel shattering. Most of the guests had been evacuated to downstairs rooms to prevent injury from flying debris.
As we moved as nightfall came from an oceanside position back to the hotel, already at that stage damage did seem to be widespread. Power pylons were already down. Trees were already in the street. And another phenomenon that's been occurring here in Kingston, the phenomenon of looting. A number of armed Jamaican gangs were on the street robbing gas stations, robbing commercial centers. We arrived on the scene of one gas station. A few minutes earlier, police had been involved in a shootout with looters there.
In addition, talking to police this morning, just a few moments ago, they say it's still too early to get a full read on the impact of this storm because Kingston is still very much in the grip of the storm. But they do say one woman is missing. She's feared drowned. They also say that many people have been injured by flying debris, many of them as they tried to repair their homes after roofs had been ripped off.
The police also tell us there has been extensive flooding along the while southern coast, but say that it's only with first light, still about an hour, an hour and a half away, that they will be able to get an initial damage assessment.
Certainly, Drew, too early to say.
GRIFFIN: All right, we will be checking back with you, Karl, throughout this morning.
But sad here that Jamaica battling not only the elements, but criminals, as well -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Hurricane Ivan is expected to make landfall early next week somewhere in Florida. If it does, it'll be the third major hurricane to hit the Sunshine State in a month. Tourists and residents have been evacuating the Florida Keys for two days now and some residents are boarding up homes and businesses in an effort to ride out the storm.
Now, four hospitals have been evacuated in the Keys. Most of the patients were taken to Miami Hospital, but 20 surgical patients were flown to the Riverview Regional Medical Center, which is in Alabama.
We want to get the latest on where Ivan is.
And for that we go now to Rob Marciano -- Rob, how is it going with Ivan? Is it headed toward Florida and exactly where, do you know?
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, it's going to head in that general direction, that's for sure. Just to the south of Jamaica right now. It's got winds of 150 miles an hour. That makes it a strong category four storm and it's impressive on the satellite picture, that's for sure.
Good news for Jamaica residents, look, watch how this thing kind of heads toward Jamaica. There, it's about to head right into the heart of it and then it just takes a jog to the west. I mean that is, if anything, that's just some luck. But nonetheless, it's still on the right quadrant of the storm and that's why, that's where you typically get the strongest winds.
So even though it has jogged just a little bit farther to the south and the eye wall appears as though it's not going to clip Jamaica, at the very least, at the very most, I should say, it may clip the extreme western end. But it looks like right now that they're just getting hit with some wind and some rain, a lot of wind.
The reports out of Jamaica not getting any since 5:00 yesterday afternoon. So we really don't know what they're sustaining on the ground. But you can bet it's well over 100 miles an hour in spots. But this thing looks like it's going to scoot just to the south and then head toward the Cayman Islands. The official track of this takes it just to the south. If it went right over Jamaica, obviously that would be worse for Jamaican residents. But there are some mountains there that would have knocked down this thing quite a bit, maybe knocked it down to a category three storm. But as it stands now, it's going to head into some warn waters. It might even intensify to a category five status and then head somewhere over the western tip of Cuba, possibly right over Havana, as we go on through the next couple of days. But it will move rather slowly.
This is the forecast track for you. Tuesday morning at 2:00 in the morning shows it close to Florida. The past couple of days these shifts, as they get closer toward Cuba and toward the Florida peninsula, all the forecast tracks have been shifting to the west. So they've been slowing it down and shifting it to the west. And it appears as though we're going to have some problems in Florida, possibly, the panhandle of Florida; possibly west into Alabama and Mississippi or New Orleans. That's a possibility, as well.
Category four storms up to 155 miles an hour, structural destruction begins. Just to give you an idea between a four and a five, guys, you get twice as much destruction in a category five as you do a four. So there's a big difference as far as that's concerned.
We'll keep you posted throughout the morning.
NGUYEN: Hey, Rob, let me ask you something real quick.
Is it moving faster than Frances did?
MARCIANO: Well, it depends on when -- at what point with Frances. Let's see, Frances was moving only about two, three miles an hour when it approached Florida. It was moving about the same speed where it was right now, although Frances was farther to the north.
NGUYEN: OK.
MARCIANO: Typically they move about this speed and then as they closer, out of the easterly trades, they start to slow down. And that's what we're beginning to see now.
NGUYEN: All right.
Thank you.
Rob Marciano.
We'll be checking back with you throughout the day.
Thanks.
MARCIANO: OK.
GRIFFIN: The anniversary of September 11, the day the unimaginable happen. The country came under terrorist attack. It changed America forever. Three years later now, communities nationwide will pause to observe the tragedy.
CNN's Alina Cho joins us from ground zero, where parents and grandparents today, of those victims, will lead a ceremony this morning -- Alina, good morning.
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Drew, good morning to you.
It is a chilly but sunny day here on this third anniversary of September 11. Family members have begun to arrive here at the World Trade Center site. The ceremony, which will get under way about 90 minutes from now at 8:40 a.m., will begin with New York City Police Department and Fire Department bagpipers and drummers. They will carry a large flag down to the stage. This is the same flag that flew over the World Trade Center site in the days and weeks after September 11. That same flag also flew on a December 2001 space shuttle Endeavor mission to honor the victims, the families and the heroes of September 11.
Of course, there will be four moments of silence, twice to mark the times that each plane flew into the Twin Towers, twice to mark the times that each tower fell.
Of course, the names will be read, as well, all 2,749 names. That's 43 fewer than last year, mostly because of accounting errors. They will be read, as you mentioned, by the parents and the grandparents of the victims. Last year it was the children, this year the parents and the grandparents. As New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg says, it is to acknowledge their great sacrifice and to thank them for helping all of us shoulder the loss.
As the names are read, the family members will be able to descend the ramp to the lowest level of the World Trade Center site. That's seven stories below street level. There is a small reflecting pool there and they will be able to lay flowers. Of course, there will be dignitaries here today, including New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg; his predecessor, Rudy Giuliani; New York Governor George Pataki; and outgoing New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey.
The ceremony will last about three and a half hours. It is due to end about 12:00 Eastern time. But family members will be able to stay here until late this afternoon.
Also late this afternoon, a memorial will be dedicated to the Staten Island victims. There were 268 Staten Island victims in both World Trade Center attacks, both in 1993 and 2001. And, of course, tonight there will be the return of the popular Tribute In Light. Those are the parallel beams of light that shine up from ground zero. They will be turned on, those twin beams of light, at sundown, and will stay up until dawn tomorrow -- Drew.
GRIFFIN: Alina, we thank you for that.
And a reminder that we'll carry all of those events live here on CNN -- Betty.
NGUYEN: And speaking of that, St. John's Episcopal Church near the White House, President Bush and other dignitaries will attend a prayer and remembrance service. That gets under way in just a few minutes.
Then, at 8:46, President Bush leads a moment of silence at the White House. Another is observed at ground zero. And we'll bring all of those to you live right here on CNN.
So stay with CNN throughout the evening for our special September 11 coverage. Our prime time coverage begins at 8:00 Eastern with "CNN PRESENTS: AMERICA REMEMBERS." That is followed by a 9/11 special on "LARRY KING LIVE." And at 10:00, tune in for a special report on America's war against terror. That is on "CNN SATURDAY NIGHT."
GRIFFIN: Meanwhile, we are tracking the current news of the day. Hurricane Ivan, where is it headed? We're going to track this massive storm that right now is hitting Jamaica. We'll have forecasts throughout the morning on that and as they're updated. We should be getting something very soon on the new track.
And a programming note. HOUSE CALL with Dr. Sanjay Gupta is on today at 7:30 Eastern. That's an hour early. Today the doctor looks at how even an active person with great health care, like former President Clinton, can be caught off guard by heart disease.
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HOLLY FIRFER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Women, make sure to get enough iron in your diet. A new study from Penn State says that iron may influence more than just your energy level. It can affect your memory.
Women aged 18 to 35 who had healthy iron levels in their blood finished computerized memory and attention tests more quickly and scored higher than women who were iron deficient or anemic. The study also revealed that the scores of iron deficient and anemic women increased to normal levels after taking iron supplements.
Iron in the blood carries oxygen to the brain to help keep you alert. Getting enough iron is critical for women, whose bodies absorb less iron than men, and lose it more quickly because of menstruation. If you don't get enough easily absorbable iron through red meat, scientists suggest taking an over the counter supplement.
Holly Firfer, CNN, Atlanta.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Dear America, may you be comforted in your time of grief and suffering. May your leaders have the wisdom of Solomon in deciding the right course of action.
From western Australia. (END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Sympathy poured in from around the world after September 11 -- from letters to pictures to signed fire helmets. We'll share some of it with you.
That's just ahead.
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GRIFFIN: An older generation remembering a younger one in New York City today. The third anniversary of 9/11. Parents and grandparents will read the names of those killed in the attack on the World Trade Center. There will be four moments of silence, marking the moments the two planes hit the Twin Towers and when those towers fell.
A state of emergency remains in effect in Jamaica. The eye of hurricane Ivan passes just south of the island. That may have been a break. Forecasters say Ivan weakened slightly. It's still packing winds of 150 miles an hour. Ivan's heavy rains have already caused flooding in Jamaica. It is now moving toward the west at eight miles an hour.
Bill Clinton has gone home to recuperate. The former president was released from a New York hospital yesterday, four days after quadruple heart bypass surgery. He's now at his home in suburban New York and apparently already taking short walks.
Former President Bill Clinton had top quality health care and the best advice while in the White House. Still, he couldn't avoid heart disease. House Call today focuses on the lessons the rest of us can learn from President Clinton's experience. That's ahead at 7:30 Eastern time.
NGUYEN: Around the world today, remembrances of 9/11. American troops in Afghanistan are pausing in their mission. They're holding a service at the U.S. headquarters at Bagram Air Base. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul is also holding a ceremony.
Elsewhere, U.S. troops in Brandenburg, Germany are holding a Freedom Run to mark today's anniversary. And in Berlin, thousands are expected to take part in an open air prayer service.
GRIFFIN: The international sympathy for America just after 9/11 is now part of an exhibit currently on display at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library Museum in Atlanta. It's called "After 9/11: Messages from the World and Images of Ground Zero." Thousands of letters and other mementoes were sent to U.S. Embassies around the world. A hundred of those items are on display, along with pictures of ground zero taken by photographer Joel Meyerowitz.
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GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward and freedom will be defended.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This letter is particularly moving, from a little boy in Canada. It says: "Dear Santa, I don't want no toys. Just want America to get better. I love you. Nick B."
This one just says, "Why?"
This crate is different from the others in that, again, it's messages. But it even includes memorabilia from New York.
One of the most interesting piece in this is the firefighter's helmet from Australia. And I just love what it says on the top, "To all stations, come home safe."
"Dear America, may you be comforted in your time of grief and suffering. May your leaders have the wisdom of Solomon in deciding the right course of action." From western Australia.
BUSH: I ask the American people to join me in saying a thanks for all the folks who have been fighting hard to rescue our fellow citizens and to join me in saying a prayer for the victims and their families.
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GRIFFIN: Yet again on this morning shift, we are tracking a hurricane.
Rob Marciano is doing the duties this morning.
NGUYEN: It's a weekly event.
And, Rob, just looking at that forecast or that radar there, this thing is a monster storm, as well.
Are you there, Rob?
MARCIANO: Yes, it's pretty big, not quite as big as Frances, thank goodness. But it's pretty big nonetheless.
Before we get to that, I've got to take care of some business. We've got to ring the register here with some sponsorship we want to take care of. And that is your fair weather forecast. Maybe you're teeing up this afternoon and maybe you're just going to watch a little golf on TV.
So here you go.
MARCIANO: All right, here you go. Satellite imagery, and there is Jamaica. There's decent golf courses in Jamaica, a lot of resorts, especially on the southern tip of the island. And they are getting pounded with wind and rain today. But the good news this morning is that this category four storm has jogged a little bit to the south and to the west. So the eye wall itself is not going to go over the island, but the northern flank of the eye wall. And, as you know, because we've been dealing with hurricanes now for the past three weeks, the northern flank, the northeastern flank not always the best spot.
A category four storm. West-northwesterly movement at 10 miles an hour. And here is the forecast track -- through the Grand Caymans, probably increasing to category five status. We only have to bump it up by about five miles an hour.
Then heading across Havana or thereabouts late tonight, early tomorrow, and then into the eastern Gulf of Mexico, jogging west or east. That's going to be the question as we go through early Tuesday afternoon. It probably will still be a major hurricane when it gets into the Gulf of Mexico. So we will watch that and tweak it for you as the hours roll by.
That's the latest from the Weather Center -- back to you guys in the studio.
NGUYEN: All right.
Thank you, Rob.
Well, Drew, it's you're favorite time of the year.
GRIFFIN: It is?
NGUYEN: Yes, it is. Fashion Week.
GRIFFIN: Of course.
NGUYEN: Unfortunately, it wraps up Wednesday in New York, though, Drew. Eighty different designers are strutting their best stuff down runways in midtown Manhattan. Alice Roy's show ended with a surprise for the young designer. Her boyfriend enlisted the models to help him propose. Now, there's no word yet on her response. So, what will the fashionistas be wearing for spring 2005? You can look for softer, more feminine linens.
GRIFFIN: No word yet on her response?
NGUYEN: Hopefully it was a yes.
GRIFFIN: Hopefully it was an immediate yes. Otherwise...
NGUYEN: Looking at the applause, I'm thinking there was a yes there.
GRIFFIN: They were all dressed for it.
It is the number one killer of Americans and it doesn't discriminate, attacking presidents and poor people alike. Heart disease, what we need to know about it, is coming up next on House Call.
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NGUYEN: Now in the news, memorials begin in an hour to mark the third anniversary of the September 11th attacks. At the site of the World Trade Center, the names of each person killed will be read out loud after a moment of silence at 8:46 Eastern. That is the moment the first plane hit the North Tower.
The eye of hurricane Ivan skirted the island of Jamaica, sparing people the worst possible blow. But high winds and heavy rain are still flooding the area. Forecasters say the hurricane will move over Cuba next, then toward western Florida.
Army Special Armin Cruz is the first military intelligence operative to be charged in the prisoner abuse scandal at Abu Ghraib Prison in Iraq. Cruz pleaded guilty today in Baghdad and was sentenced to eight months confinement and a bad conduct discharge.
An explosion rocked a branch of the Saudi American Bank today at the Saudi city or in the Saudi city of Jetta. Al-Arabiya TV said the explosion was a bomb and some attackers are holed up in a nearby house. But there's no confirmation of that report.
That's the news.
Up next, Weekend "HOUSE CALL."
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