Transcripts For CNNW Situation Room With Wolf Blitzer 201709

CNNW Situation Room With Wolf Blitzer September 7, 2017

Clogged. And fuel shortages could lead to gridlock. White house interviews, sources say special Counsel Robert Mueller wants to Interview White House staffers who were aBoard Air Force one. When it was drafted about the meeting with the russian lawyer. Im wolf blitzer, youre in the situation room. Skbrnchts breaking news, the new forecast just coming in pounding the caribbean with winds of 175 miles an hour. Hurricane watches have been declared in the southern part of the state. The mayor of miami beach calls irma a Nuclear Hurricane and floridas governor warns its a catastrophic storm like the state has never seen. Mandatory evacuations are spreading. So far, 650,000 people in the miami area alone have been ordered to leave and others are being warned to be ready on short notice. Highways are clogged with people heading north, but fuel shortages could further snarl the exits. Georgia and South Carolina also are ordering coastal evacuations starting saturday. The trail of destruction and devastation and death already carved out by irma. The Prime Minister of barr buddha says 95 of the buildings there have been destroyed. The storm knocked out power to a Million People in puerto rico. Still, irmas path, the turks and Caicos Islands and the bahamas. Ill speak with congressman ted deutsche of florida. Theyre all standing by with full coverage of the storm and other stories breaking tonight. Lets begin with the breaking news. New forecast is just coming in for Hurricane Irma. Our meteorologist tom sader is at cnn Severe Weather center, whats the latest, tom . Few minor changes, what we have is a formidable hurricane, wolf, no doubt. Were losing time now because those that have a evacuate have to do by tomorrow morning if theyre going to do this. I will show you a significant change, at least 20, 30 miles when it comes to the track towards miami which could be significant. We are now watching the storm surge start to plow into the turks and caicos, thats why they were evacuated looking at at least 15 to even possibly 20 feet or more in some areas. The warning extend across the bahamas islands, this is new today and this is significant. These watches posted by the National Hurricane are not just slapped up on the u. S. Without considerable discussion and analysis to the data. It costs millions and millions of dollars to place a hurricane watch because of the federal, state, the local need, the equipment, the personnel, and the evacuation process thats taking place and of course closing up businesses and so on and so forth. This will become a warning. Well see more watching extended. Keep in mind, the storm is so large, once it makes its way to the southern tip of florida, the entire peninsula will be covered with Tropical Stormforced winds. I want to point out here the tracks, a couple of them still deviate down over cuba. Almost ready to erase that, but not knock that possibility out. Again, spat getty plots are different than the european and the u. S. Models. Again we continue to see quite an array and focus along that east coast. The difference in the track of the National Hurricane center from yesterday to today is quite interesting. But for planning purposes, i want everybody to look at this color codes. This is when the Tropical Storm force winds meet yar area. You do not want to drive through florida with Tropical Storm forced winds. You want to say the latest if youre considering friday morning. Everybody needs to consider this. The path shifting westward. 24 hours ago, shift to the east, now it looks like its shifting, even 20 miles, it puts miami right in the worst possible position. Because when you look at the formidable storm, the strongest winds, the strongest storm surge, the bands of heavy rain are always in that north, northeastern quadrant. As the system stays, more just toward to the west of miami and theyre putting miami and the people northward in that range. As we continue to go along, lets take a look at the european model and the u. S. There have been some changes with this as well. They have all shifted a little bit westward. Yesterday, the u. S. Model was a little bit more off the coast lane and it still is and still brings it up toward land fall near savannah. Thats still a big possibility. Everyone on alert of course the coast of the carolinas and georgia, but for the european, a week ago, last thursday this model is still south of miami. Here it is today. You have to take that into consideration the track it has on the environment. It is quite interesting. And this is probably the worst Case Scenario. Theres going to be suffering anywhere. So there isnt a great outcome any way you look at it. Key largo, this is the problem spot, the greatest storm surge that could be i think conservative to say ten feet, really, i mean weekend see 15, turks and caicos are getting 20. It depends a lot on the slope of the ocean floor, but again, this is going to be a problem. This is going to be like winds near the center of an ef3 tornado. We know what that does when it hits, but consider those kind of winds around that center of the eye, hour after hour after hour all the way from the south to the north. Straight up the center of florida. The other model were going to watch is the u. S. Model. Again, as the european moves in, you are not safe as well. Youre going to see a storm surge on the northern side coming in as well, quickly for you, heres the u. S. Model and this is a little different, still has a very close land fall near ft. Lauderdale. This is much like matthew last year. Scoured the coastline keeping the catastrophic damage offshore creating activity and damage as we know well into the carolinas. Hollywood, ft. Lauderdale up in boca raton and palm beach. Were watching that area very, very closely. Were going to keep checking back with them. Youre getting more information all the time. Stand by, this path of destruction carved across the caribbean by the hurricane, Hurricane Irmas adding great urgency right now to floridas preparations for one of the most powerful storms ever. We are not far from maralago, ryan, officials are sounding some very dire warnings. Reporter they are wolf, were standing in the spot that could take a direct hit. This island behind me, the Barrier Island palm beach could be inundated. We could see five to ten feet of storm surge which would inundate this area behind me including the president s winter white house, maralago. Mandatory Evacuations Ordered in a few hours. People throughout south florida are getting a harrowing preview of what you could see. People seeing disturbing images what have irma did to the caribbean. This is the kind of devastation that has hit the caribbean and could be headed directly into florida. Flooded roads and buildings, cars and boats ruined in st. Barts. Trees torn apart in st. Thomas, the destruction seen from the air, expanding for miles across st. Martin. 95 of building are damaged or destroyed. It was heart wrenching and absolutely devastating. The roof is about to come, there it is. Reporter Hurricane Irma maintained 185 mile per hour winds for longer than any hurricane in reported history. Almost 16 Million People are in the path of the storm. Leaving million without power and 56,000 without water. The storm churning near the turks and caicos with the bahamas and cuba up next. Tonight, florida officials urgently warning citizens statewide to get ready. If you choose to remain in your home, rush your preparations today, Emergency Personnel will not be able to assist you once sustained Tropical Storm forced winds arrive. Reporter some seeing heavy traffic as mandatory evacuation orders now cover the keys, low lying parts of southern florida. I cannot stress enough, do not ignore evacuation orders. Remember, we can rebuild your home, we can get your possessions again, but you cant get your life back. Reporter gas has become scarce in some places. Around 40 of gas stations are out of gas, according to gas buddy. Some fuel trucks now Getting Police escorts. And to get sandbags, the line was two hours long at a location near orlando. Flights and cruises are being cancelled and at least one Miami Hospital has started evacuating patients. Authorities say the most exposed Nuclear Plant had turkey point sits 20 feet above sea level and weathered a direct category five hit from hurricane andrew in 1992, but no one wants another disaster like the fukushima meltdown where a tsunami knocked out the cooling system while the reactors were still hot. We will safely shut down these Nuclear Plants with the well in advance of hurricaneforced winds. Reporter even the winter white house, Donald Trumps treasured maralago estate at palm beach, whose calls have weathered countless storms could be in the path of the unpredictable storm. Look at cone. The cone has our entire state. And this things bigger than our entire state right now. So take this seriously. Reporter and starting at 10 00 a. M. Eastern time tomorrow, mandatory evacuation orders will be in place for this area, especially the area behind me. The Barrier Islands of palm beach, those low lying areas, thats going to cover about 123,000 people under mandatory evacuation orders, but another 138,000 are going to be under a voluntary evacuation notice, wolf, and again, people here just like they are throughout the state are being told by officials, do not call First Responders during the height of the storm on saturday and especially on sunday because they are not going to be able to get to you in those conditions. All of palm beach is going to be evacuated as of tomorrow morning . Mandatory evacuation, is that what im hearing . Reporter well, wolf, you have to specify between palm beach right behind me, the Barrier Island, the lower lying areas, thats under mandatory evacuations starting at 10 00 a. M. Tomorrow, west palm beach, some is going to be under mandatory, most is under voluntary evacuation orders tomorrow. West palm beach is a little bit higher elevation. So they are, you know, not insulated, but theyre a little safer than the people on the Barrier Island. Palm beach as opposed to west palm beach, thank you very much. Well get back to you. Stand by right now the core of this extremely dangerous storm is passing near haiti. Paula newt season over there, paula, what are the conditions like right now getting ready for this hurricane . Reporter weve had a few hours now of some fairly severe gusts with some rainstorms, but the worst is yet to come still for haiti, the good news is theyre not taking a direct hit, bad news sooechb the southern edge of this storm could do catastrophic damage to haiti. This is one of the places thats most illprepared for this. Wolf, local officials on the northern shore tell us look, we are not prepared for the storm, and not only not prepared for the storm, were not prepared for the aftermath. Critical supplies that were supposed to come from the capital are still not in place. People are not heeding evacuation orders, at risk wolf, about 100,000 people in low lying areas, and thats for the next 10 to 12 hours, after that, wolf, were waiting to see what the flooding does and if it triggers those deadly mud slides that we saw from Hurricane Matthew in the south of this country last year that killed hundreds of people, literally swept families away with their homes. It has become a real problem here, wolf, and still no understanding, its been unsettling that there is any preparation here, and quite frankly, wolf, right now its too late. People already have to hunker down and just wait it out. Lets hope for the best in haiti, which has gone through so much over these many years, thanks so much, paula. For that, well get back to you as well. Joining us now, the direct of the National Weather service, thanks very much for coming in. All right. So youve been involved in a lot of these hurricanes, category four or a category five storm hitting miami, miami beach, ft. Lauderdale, that area with millions and millions of people, what would it be . Well, wed have to understand too, its only hitting that area, its coming in on an angle to the coastline which makes it particularly dangerous for the storm surge on the eastern side of the low. The very strong winds were still predicting that the storm will maintain its intensity to at least the according to four, very strong winds, cant evacuate up and winds like that. So very concerned about the response to this storm, the Emergency Management community, is taking all actions to local officials, to state officials to get people out of harms way. But its a very dangerous storm both from a wind perspective and from a water perspective. Going to be with us throughout the two hours here, stand by. I want to bring in ted deutsche of florida. His district includes parts of southeast florida that could be hit hard by Hurricane Irma. Congressman, thanks for joining us. How should people in your district and were talking about what boca raton and other areas just north of ft. Lauderdale, between ft. Lauderdale and palm beach, west palm beach, how should they be preparing for this disaster . Well, wolf, they should be doing several things, first and foremost, they should listen to what the local officials tell them. There is a mandatory evacuation in Broward County for the low lying areas, mobile homes, the coastal areas, palm beach county, thats going to go into Effect Tomorrow morning at 10 00. They need to plan to evacuate. For people who arent evacuating, right now, they have to have a plan in place both to secure their homes, they have to have everything they need to get through a hurricane, and they need to make sure that they are prepared the day after a hurricane. Write down all of the information that they need because theres a very good chance theyre going to lose power. Be sure that they have the numbers that they need, and communicate that to their families outside of florida as well, so that everyone is aware what have theyll be going through and the steps theyll be taking to deal with the storm. Were already seeing, congressman, very, very heavy traffic on the interstates in florida, so many people are concerned they wont be able to get out in time if theyre not out by now, they maybe have a few hours left, do you trust the evacuation procedures that have been put in place in your state of florida . Well, i think there are two important pieces to this, one the decision to evacuate the areas along the coastline is very important because as youve been discussing with the experts before i came on, the storm surge could be immense. Which puts all of those areas and the people who live there at great risk. So those people need to evacuate from their homes along the coast, there are people who are leaving the state, but the other piece of this is the shelters that are now open in south florida, the people who need those shelters who can evacuate from their homes to the shelters for protection, thats another way for them to stay safe. The people of florida certainly are counting on fema, the federal Emergency Management agency to help with the recovery process, but the agency as you well know, congressman, is on the brink of running out of cash. Is Congress Going to make sure fema is funded to deal with not only the crisis, the hurricane disaster we isnt that true texas and louisiana, but now about to unfold in florida and maybe in South Carolina and georgia, some other states up the eastern sea board. Wolf, there is no question that Congress Must. This isnt a question of whether or not congress will, Congress Must ensure that fema has the resources to be able to continue to help the people of texas who are, lives were devastated by the storm there last week, but this is a large, dangerous storm with high winds and high, and high surge thats coming up potentially right through florida. Six Million People at risk in south florida alone, 20 Million People throughout the state. I know that fema has food and water and generators ready to come into the state, blue tarps ready to help people who lose their roofs, but they need to be funded and Congress Needs to do that right now. We cant leave the people of florida to wonder whether or not femas going to be there for them. They have to be there for them. The House Speaker paul ryan says fema funds are being quickly depleted, a lot more quickly than normal because everyone seems to be affected by Hurricane Harvey. Everyone affected by Hurricane Harvey out in texas and louisiana is applying for relief over their smart phones and do you except that explanation . Well, i think that people are seeking relief because of the damage that harvey caused. Weve all seen the horrific images of the floods and people whose lives were turned upside down, so of course theyre seeking theyre turning to fema. In florida, we know if that storm like this comes through the state that there will be massive damage to peoples homes, that the flooding will be dramatic and that the needs will be enormous. So were going to have to come together wolf, i was at the Counsel Robert Mueller<\/a> wants to Interview White House<\/a> staffers who were aBoard Air Force<\/a> one. When it was drafted about the meeting with the russian lawyer. Im wolf blitzer, youre in the situation room. Skbrnchts breaking news, the new forecast just coming in pounding the caribbean with winds of 175 miles an hour. Hurricane watches have been declared in the southern part of the state. The mayor of miami beach calls irma a Nuclear Hurricane<\/a> and floridas governor warns its a catastrophic storm like the state has never seen. Mandatory evacuations are spreading. So far, 650,000 people in the miami area alone have been ordered to leave and others are being warned to be ready on short notice. Highways are clogged with people heading north, but fuel shortages could further snarl the exits. Georgia and South Carolina<\/a> also are ordering coastal evacuations starting saturday. The trail of destruction and devastation and death already carved out by irma. The Prime Minister<\/a> of barr buddha says 95 of the buildings there have been destroyed. The storm knocked out power to a Million People<\/a> in puerto rico. Still, irmas path, the turks and Caicos Islands<\/a> and the bahamas. Ill speak with congressman ted deutsche of florida. Theyre all standing by with full coverage of the storm and other stories breaking tonight. Lets begin with the breaking news. New forecast is just coming in for Hurricane Irma<\/a>. Our meteorologist tom sader is at cnn Severe Weather<\/a> center, whats the latest, tom . Few minor changes, what we have is a formidable hurricane, wolf, no doubt. Were losing time now because those that have a evacuate have to do by tomorrow morning if theyre going to do this. I will show you a significant change, at least 20, 30 miles when it comes to the track towards miami which could be significant. We are now watching the storm surge start to plow into the turks and caicos, thats why they were evacuated looking at at least 15 to even possibly 20 feet or more in some areas. The warning extend across the bahamas islands, this is new today and this is significant. These watches posted by the National Hurricane<\/a> are not just slapped up on the u. S. Without considerable discussion and analysis to the data. It costs millions and millions of dollars to place a hurricane watch because of the federal, state, the local need, the equipment, the personnel, and the evacuation process thats taking place and of course closing up businesses and so on and so forth. This will become a warning. Well see more watching extended. Keep in mind, the storm is so large, once it makes its way to the southern tip of florida, the entire peninsula will be covered with Tropical Storm<\/a>forced winds. I want to point out here the tracks, a couple of them still deviate down over cuba. Almost ready to erase that, but not knock that possibility out. Again, spat getty plots are different than the european and the u. S. Models. Again we continue to see quite an array and focus along that east coast. The difference in the track of the National Hurricane<\/a> center from yesterday to today is quite interesting. But for planning purposes, i want everybody to look at this color codes. This is when the Tropical Storm<\/a> force winds meet yar area. You do not want to drive through florida with Tropical Storm<\/a> forced winds. You want to say the latest if youre considering friday morning. Everybody needs to consider this. The path shifting westward. 24 hours ago, shift to the east, now it looks like its shifting, even 20 miles, it puts miami right in the worst possible position. Because when you look at the formidable storm, the strongest winds, the strongest storm surge, the bands of heavy rain are always in that north, northeastern quadrant. As the system stays, more just toward to the west of miami and theyre putting miami and the people northward in that range. As we continue to go along, lets take a look at the european model and the u. S. There have been some changes with this as well. They have all shifted a little bit westward. Yesterday, the u. S. Model was a little bit more off the coast lane and it still is and still brings it up toward land fall near savannah. Thats still a big possibility. Everyone on alert of course the coast of the carolinas and georgia, but for the european, a week ago, last thursday this model is still south of miami. Here it is today. You have to take that into consideration the track it has on the environment. It is quite interesting. And this is probably the worst Case Scenario<\/a>. Theres going to be suffering anywhere. So there isnt a great outcome any way you look at it. Key largo, this is the problem spot, the greatest storm surge that could be i think conservative to say ten feet, really, i mean weekend see 15, turks and caicos are getting 20. It depends a lot on the slope of the ocean floor, but again, this is going to be a problem. This is going to be like winds near the center of an ef3 tornado. We know what that does when it hits, but consider those kind of winds around that center of the eye, hour after hour after hour all the way from the south to the north. Straight up the center of florida. The other model were going to watch is the u. S. Model. Again, as the european moves in, you are not safe as well. Youre going to see a storm surge on the northern side coming in as well, quickly for you, heres the u. S. Model and this is a little different, still has a very close land fall near ft. Lauderdale. This is much like matthew last year. Scoured the coastline keeping the catastrophic damage offshore creating activity and damage as we know well into the carolinas. Hollywood, ft. Lauderdale up in boca raton and palm beach. Were watching that area very, very closely. Were going to keep checking back with them. Youre getting more information all the time. Stand by, this path of destruction carved across the caribbean by the hurricane, Hurricane Irma<\/a>s adding great urgency right now to floridas preparations for one of the most powerful storms ever. We are not far from maralago, ryan, officials are sounding some very dire warnings. Reporter they are wolf, were standing in the spot that could take a direct hit. This island behind me, the Barrier Island<\/a> palm beach could be inundated. We could see five to ten feet of storm surge which would inundate this area behind me including the president s winter white house, maralago. Mandatory Evacuations Ordered<\/a> in a few hours. People throughout south florida are getting a harrowing preview of what you could see. People seeing disturbing images what have irma did to the caribbean. This is the kind of devastation that has hit the caribbean and could be headed directly into florida. Flooded roads and buildings, cars and boats ruined in st. Barts. Trees torn apart in st. Thomas, the destruction seen from the air, expanding for miles across st. Martin. 95 of building are damaged or destroyed. It was heart wrenching and absolutely devastating. The roof is about to come, there it is. Reporter Hurricane Irma<\/a> maintained 185 mile per hour winds for longer than any hurricane in reported history. Almost 16 Million People<\/a> are in the path of the storm. Leaving million without power and 56,000 without water. The storm churning near the turks and caicos with the bahamas and cuba up next. Tonight, florida officials urgently warning citizens statewide to get ready. If you choose to remain in your home, rush your preparations today, Emergency Personnel<\/a> will not be able to assist you once sustained Tropical Storm<\/a> forced winds arrive. Reporter some seeing heavy traffic as mandatory evacuation orders now cover the keys, low lying parts of southern florida. I cannot stress enough, do not ignore evacuation orders. Remember, we can rebuild your home, we can get your possessions again, but you cant get your life back. Reporter gas has become scarce in some places. Around 40 of gas stations are out of gas, according to gas buddy. Some fuel trucks now Getting Police<\/a> escorts. And to get sandbags, the line was two hours long at a location near orlando. Flights and cruises are being cancelled and at least one Miami Hospital<\/a> has started evacuating patients. Authorities say the most exposed Nuclear Plant<\/a> had turkey point sits 20 feet above sea level and weathered a direct category five hit from hurricane andrew in 1992, but no one wants another disaster like the fukushima meltdown where a tsunami knocked out the cooling system while the reactors were still hot. We will safely shut down these Nuclear Plant<\/a>s with the well in advance of hurricaneforced winds. Reporter even the winter white house, Donald Trumps<\/a> treasured maralago estate at palm beach, whose calls have weathered countless storms could be in the path of the unpredictable storm. Look at cone. The cone has our entire state. And this things bigger than our entire state right now. So take this seriously. Reporter and starting at 10 00 a. M. Eastern time tomorrow, mandatory evacuation orders will be in place for this area, especially the area behind me. The Barrier Island<\/a>s of palm beach, those low lying areas, thats going to cover about 123,000 people under mandatory evacuation orders, but another 138,000 are going to be under a voluntary evacuation notice, wolf, and again, people here just like they are throughout the state are being told by officials, do not call First Responders<\/a> during the height of the storm on saturday and especially on sunday because they are not going to be able to get to you in those conditions. All of palm beach is going to be evacuated as of tomorrow morning . Mandatory evacuation, is that what im hearing . Reporter well, wolf, you have to specify between palm beach right behind me, the Barrier Island<\/a>, the lower lying areas, thats under mandatory evacuations starting at 10 00 a. M. Tomorrow, west palm beach, some is going to be under mandatory, most is under voluntary evacuation orders tomorrow. West palm beach is a little bit higher elevation. So they are, you know, not insulated, but theyre a little safer than the people on the Barrier Island<\/a>. Palm beach as opposed to west palm beach, thank you very much. Well get back to you. Stand by right now the core of this extremely dangerous storm is passing near haiti. Paula newt season over there, paula, what are the conditions like right now getting ready for this hurricane . Reporter weve had a few hours now of some fairly severe gusts with some rainstorms, but the worst is yet to come still for haiti, the good news is theyre not taking a direct hit, bad news sooechb the southern edge of this storm could do catastrophic damage to haiti. This is one of the places thats most illprepared for this. Wolf, local officials on the northern shore tell us look, we are not prepared for the storm, and not only not prepared for the storm, were not prepared for the aftermath. Critical supplies that were supposed to come from the capital are still not in place. People are not heeding evacuation orders, at risk wolf, about 100,000 people in low lying areas, and thats for the next 10 to 12 hours, after that, wolf, were waiting to see what the flooding does and if it triggers those deadly mud slides that we saw from Hurricane Matthew<\/a> in the south of this country last year that killed hundreds of people, literally swept families away with their homes. It has become a real problem here, wolf, and still no understanding, its been unsettling that there is any preparation here, and quite frankly, wolf, right now its too late. People already have to hunker down and just wait it out. Lets hope for the best in haiti, which has gone through so much over these many years, thanks so much, paula. For that, well get back to you as well. Joining us now, the direct of the National Weather<\/a> service, thanks very much for coming in. All right. So youve been involved in a lot of these hurricanes, category four or a category five storm hitting miami, miami beach, ft. Lauderdale, that area with millions and millions of people, what would it be . Well, wed have to understand too, its only hitting that area, its coming in on an angle to the coastline which makes it particularly dangerous for the storm surge on the eastern side of the low. The very strong winds were still predicting that the storm will maintain its intensity to at least the according to four, very strong winds, cant evacuate up and winds like that. So very concerned about the response to this storm, the Emergency Management<\/a> community, is taking all actions to local officials, to state officials to get people out of harms way. But its a very dangerous storm both from a wind perspective and from a water perspective. Going to be with us throughout the two hours here, stand by. I want to bring in ted deutsche of florida. His district includes parts of southeast florida that could be hit hard by Hurricane Irma<\/a>. Congressman, thanks for joining us. How should people in your district and were talking about what boca raton and other areas just north of ft. Lauderdale, between ft. Lauderdale and palm beach, west palm beach, how should they be preparing for this disaster . Well, wolf, they should be doing several things, first and foremost, they should listen to what the local officials tell them. There is a mandatory evacuation in Broward County<\/a> for the low lying areas, mobile homes, the coastal areas, palm beach county, thats going to go into Effect Tomorrow<\/a> morning at 10 00. They need to plan to evacuate. For people who arent evacuating, right now, they have to have a plan in place both to secure their homes, they have to have everything they need to get through a hurricane, and they need to make sure that they are prepared the day after a hurricane. Write down all of the information that they need because theres a very good chance theyre going to lose power. Be sure that they have the numbers that they need, and communicate that to their families outside of florida as well, so that everyone is aware what have theyll be going through and the steps theyll be taking to deal with the storm. Were already seeing, congressman, very, very heavy traffic on the interstates in florida, so many people are concerned they wont be able to get out in time if theyre not out by now, they maybe have a few hours left, do you trust the evacuation procedures that have been put in place in your state of florida . Well, i think there are two important pieces to this, one the decision to evacuate the areas along the coastline is very important because as youve been discussing with the experts before i came on, the storm surge could be immense. Which puts all of those areas and the people who live there at great risk. So those people need to evacuate from their homes along the coast, there are people who are leaving the state, but the other piece of this is the shelters that are now open in south florida, the people who need those shelters who can evacuate from their homes to the shelters for protection, thats another way for them to stay safe. The people of florida certainly are counting on fema, the federal Emergency Management<\/a> agency to help with the recovery process, but the agency as you well know, congressman, is on the brink of running out of cash. Is Congress Going<\/a> to make sure fema is funded to deal with not only the crisis, the hurricane disaster we isnt that true texas and louisiana, but now about to unfold in florida and maybe in South Carolina<\/a> and georgia, some other states up the eastern sea board. Wolf, there is no question that Congress Must<\/a>. This isnt a question of whether or not congress will, Congress Must<\/a> ensure that fema has the resources to be able to continue to help the people of texas who are, lives were devastated by the storm there last week, but this is a large, dangerous storm with high winds and high, and high surge thats coming up potentially right through florida. Six Million People<\/a> at risk in south florida alone, 20 Million People<\/a> throughout the state. I know that fema has food and water and generators ready to come into the state, blue tarps ready to help people who lose their roofs, but they need to be funded and Congress Needs<\/a> to do that right now. We cant leave the people of florida to wonder whether or not femas going to be there for them. They have to be there for them. The House Speaker<\/a> paul ryan says fema funds are being quickly depleted, a lot more quickly than normal because everyone seems to be affected by Hurricane Harvey<\/a>. Everyone affected by Hurricane Harvey<\/a> out in texas and louisiana is applying for relief over their smart phones and do you except that explanation . Well, i think that people are seeking relief because of the damage that harvey caused. Weve all seen the horrific images of the floods and people whose lives were turned upside down, so of course theyre seeking theyre turning to fema. In florida, we know if that storm like this comes through the state that there will be massive damage to peoples homes, that the flooding will be dramatic and that the needs will be enormous. So were going to have to come together wolf, i was at the Emergency Operation<\/a> center earlier today with governor scott, and the federal government, the state government, local governments, the nonprofit community, all of them were together figuring out how to address the needs that will exist after the storm comes through, not just to prepare for it, but anticipating what will come next. Fema plays a vital role in that, and congress has to ensure that fema is equipped to help take care of those needs. In the worst Case Scenario<\/a> and everybodys fearing now that worst Case Scenario<\/a>, according to to the National Hurricane<\/a> center, parts of south florida where you are could be uninhabitable for weeks or months. Are you worried that constituents may never be able to rebuild their lives . Well, wolf, people have seen images from hurricane andrew, i remember what we went through after hurricane wilma in my own community, there is going to be if this storm follows the current track, theres going to be massive damage, but thats when the community has to come together as we have in those other instances to help ensure that people can get back on their feet. This could be a horrific outcome like weve seen in the islands, but we have to hope that thats not the case, but if it is, then again were going to have to all Work Together<\/a> to ensure that people get the care that they need. Theres going to be a lot of looking out for one another and a lot of turning to those who can offer support. Thats why there has been such a welcomed push to get volunteers. People have signed up already because whatever happens, they know that were all going to be there for one another. Thats the kind of community that we have. We know what these storms can do, weve seen it before, and florida, if this is if this follows this current path, it will be a very, very difficult time, but we will work with each other, turn to each other, and well get through it, wolf. Congressman ted deutsche along the atlantic, very quickly, where are you going ride out the storm . I am going to be, i am going to be home with my family and were just finishing securing our own home. Something that i was out with my neighbors doing just before i came over here. And then well be out in the community and doing our best to assess what happened and again, to help make sure that people get the support they need. Be careful and good luck to you and everyone in florida right now. I know this is an awful, awful situation, congressman, thanks for joining us. Well have much more on the breaking news coming up here in the situation room. Urgent preparations as Hurricane Irma<\/a> takes direct aim at florida. Were tracking the storms path, the latest forecast, much more right after this. Theres nothing more important than your health. So if youre on medicare or will be soon, you may want more than parts a and b heres why. Medicare only covers about 80 of your part b medical expenses. The rest is up to you. You might want to consider an aarp Medicare Supplement<\/a> insurance plan, insured by unitedhealthcare insurance company. Like any Medicare Supplement<\/a> insurance plan, these help pick up some of what medicare doesnt pay. And, these plans let you choose any doctor or hospital that accepts medicare patients. You could stay with the doctor or specialist you trust. Or go with someone new. Youre not stuck in a network. Because there arent any. So dont wait. Call now to request your free decision guide and find the aarp Medicare Supplement<\/a> plan that works for you. 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Miguel, were already seeing lots of clogged highways and awful gas shortages. Reporter across town. Driving around miami i can tell you is about 50 50, half the stations open, half arent. This is a marathon, extraordinarily busy marathon. I want to show you the end of the line, its right here. There are two Police Officers<\/a> here on duty who are helping out. They have police tape across the service station so that people can only go in one way. Now i want to show you the beginning of the line. It is about an hour, probably an hour plus at this point for people getting gas here, wraps around the block. The governor of florida saying hes taking extraordinary measures to get more gas in here, including Police Escorts<\/a> for tankers bringing the truck to service stations, Police Escorts<\/a> for employees of service stations so they can stay open and stay on duty as long as possible, and then theyll help get them out. Even military transports and coordinated with other states and their tankers, the ship tankers coming into different ports so they can get it in as quickly and efficiently as possible load it on to trucks and get it to gas stations. If you could measure concern in a line, it is this line right here. People clearly concerned wanting a full tank of gas, waiting an hour or more. We just saw somebody pushing their car into the service station here. It is people clearly paying very, very close attention to the storm and extraordinarily concerned, wolf. Yeah, its an awful situation. People are being told, get out, evacuate, but if they dont have gas, its going to be hard to drive anywhere, and so many of the gas stations are out of gas and simply shut down right now. Miguel, were going to get back to you shortly, but show our viewers some pictures of planes lined up at one of the airports in miami. You can see the planes are being delayed as well. So many individuals, so many people want to get out of south florida right now to safety, totally understandably as well. Joining us once again, the director of the National Weather<\/a> service. You know, when we hear about a storm surge and worst Case Scenario<\/a>, this hurricane hits florida, the miami area where there are millions and millions of people, miami beach, ft. Lauderdale, what does that mean . Explain what that storm surge, a huge storm surge would mean to all of those folks. Well, the surge is a part of the circulation of the storm, so north and east of the track of the storm, the storm will be bringing water with it and itll actually force the ocean to rise, it brings with it and when that surge hits the coast, it inundates a large area, horizontally, and aboveground level, we could see water quickly rise to 12, 15 feet how deep, how far inland . Inlets and the bays, it can just follow that water right in. So the inland bays, the areas where people have built canals will all rise and can actually rise more because the water then gets that intercoastal miami, ft. Lauderdale, that goes up there, what happens to that . You can get rises in the water in the 12 foot range or above, depending on where that area gets constricted and it happens very quickly. Of course it inundates the entire area. Houses will flootd very quickly. So this is one of the concerns immediately along the coast. You have to get people out because the surge can just destroy the houses and trap people. That explain why is palm beach and miami beach for example have been told there are mandatory evacuations under way right now. Correct. Louis, i want you to stand by. Were going to have a lot more questions for you. Viewers are watching this very, very closely. The breaking news, were following as florida races to get ready for Hurricane Irma<\/a> and residents rush to get out of the way. 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Or you can come in and have it all for less than you might imagine. Dont wait. Our 2017 models will be moving fast. You can drive a car. Or you can drive a cadillac. During the cadillac made to move 2017 clearance event, current nongm owners and lessees get this lowmileage lease on this cadillac ct6 from around 529 per month. Breaking news. Hurricane irma is carving a path of destruction across the caribbean. Taking direct aim at florida right now. The latest forecast is out, lets get a quick update from our meteorologist tom sader at the cnn Severe Weather<\/a> center. What could we expect, tom . Well, wolf, at the top of the hour we got a new hurricane track and it dift did shift about 15, 20 miles back westward, something since we were just focussing on the track that also came out in this advisory, get this, hurricane joses been upgraded to a major hurricane, category three, making its way towards the islands that have been decimated. Weve heard from the Prime Minister<\/a> its barely habitable. Hurricane watch is in effect. And these people have nowhere to go. There is no Convention Center<\/a> like there was in houston. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Its hard to imagine that, but it looks like it will pull away but get dangerously close. Now on irma, continues to move at a good clip. Were at 16 miles per hour, thats much better than harvey, which you could outwalk at one to two. Rainfall rates are lighter, but this is all about wind and storm surge right now. Sure, maybe 100 Million People<\/a> without power, but in puerto rico, but excuse me, a Million People<\/a>, but we didnt get the flash flooding and the major storm surge, there was some, but it stayed away from the northern coast, staying away from hispaniola, getting too close to comfort for the turks and caicos. Warnings in effect for the bahamas and this is brand new today. This is a big deal. This is the next stage. This is hurricane watch. Which means, it will become a warning in time. Were two and a half days away, but of course the conditions are going to start to deteriorate quickly and about 24, 48 hours. The spaghetti plots which are different than the european and u. S. Model do show, still, pretty much the same turn to the north. A few still take it interaking with cuba, thats still possible. The end point on both of these is savannah, georgia, which is interesting to note now, but quite a few of the models hug the east coast. The difference here is, and i want to make this perfectly clear, 25 years ago when hurricane andrew came in like a buzz saw from due west, and slicing across homestead, florida, thats a smaller part of the real estate on the angle than what we may have with irma, but lets remind everybody, 26 and a half billion dollars worth of Economic Loss<\/a> and damages. 65 fatalities, the storm surge was 17 feet. I know theyre calling for ten foot right now, but i think thats just conservative, theyre doing that on purpose. They will up that later as it gets closer. Now the track for the National Hurricane<\/a> center, yesterday shifted to the east. 60 to 70 miles, now back westward a little bit which puts miami in the worst possible position. Because the worst winds, the worst storm surge, is in that northeastern quadrant. As everything circulates around this storm, counterclockwise, you get that surge of water. The walls of the seat coming in on the shoreline, up, up into the canals. Into, of course, all of the streams and the creeks. But also, because the winds are around that eye. Everybody, i want you to keep in mind now, were talking about a 175 mile per hour winds right around the eye, that does not mean all of florida is going to have those type of winds. But those hurricane winds extend 100 miles from the center. So, most of floridas going to feel this. The storm surge as mentioned will change, well talk about that, and later on, well talk more about the storm surge, everything in blue here, and its its kind of hard to see its north miami, down to the south. Biscayne bay, everything one to three feet here. You slide down to the south and youll see the bright colors around homestead. Youre talking six to nine feet in some areas on the coastline and even greater than three to six in some areas. So thats something that will unfold in time, wolf, and well be able to discuss more as the storm approaches south of florida. Tom, were going to get back to you. Tom sader, stand by, louis is with us, the National Weather<\/a> service director. We talk a lot about the storm surge, you and i just discuss it. Is it, is it something thats going to wind up killing people . Well, if people dont take the right steps, like you said, everybody said listen to your local officials get out of areas that were just painted the blues and reds and oranges because the storm surge kills. And if youre in that vulnerable spot, you really dont, you really dont want to be there. So nows the time to leave those areas. They are the most vulnerable with respect to the surge and with this storm, its going its a very powerful storm, its bringing a lot of water with it, and we have to be very concerned about it. If its a ten foot storm surge in some places, it could be 15 or 20 foot surge and thats people that decided to ride it out and not evacuate in those areas. That could potentially kill them. It could, and it makes it very hard to get into those areas to address their safety. And there are so many highrises along the Atlantic Ocean<\/a> down in south florida. What happens to people who may be stuck inside who cant leave even though theyve been ordered to evacuate . This is something that they have to deal with at a local level. People in highrises, were not recommending its not recommended that they go higher because the wind speeds the higher you are, the more deadly the wind. So its really time to get out of those areas. And if you cant, if youre an elderly person, someones got to come in and escort and take you out. Thats what the local officials are focussing on. Thats a big concern, older people, retirees that are down there, not very noble begin with, and now you have a few hours to escape. Whole new of generation people since andrew thats down in that area. Theyve never seen a storm like this. Andrew was 1992, you remember it, i remember it, a lot of folks that moved to florida dont remember. Thats correct. And this potentially could be a lot worse. It could have a stronger surge with it. Its a major, major destructive storm. It has to be you have to Pay Attention<\/a> to it and evacuate when your local Officials Say<\/a> evacuate. Yeah, i totally agree. Louis will be with us. Stand by. Massive evacuations have been under way now in south florida, and a bit further up the atlantic coast, more people have now been ordered to get out. Our National Correspondent<\/a> is on merit nienld florida, whats the situation over there . Reporter theres a mandatory evacuations beginning at 3 00 tomorrow, thats also when shelters are going to open in this area which has Barrier Island<\/a>s, but right now, its about protecting homes. We have four Distribution Centers<\/a> open in brevard county, florida, these are inmates from the county that are servicing these Distribution Centers<\/a>. Overnight, 10,000 sandbags were filled, brought to the area. They quickly went out of them. And thats why right now were seeing bagged one by one and load cars, maximum of ten per car. Now this line, this is actually nothing compared to what weve been seeing today. We talked to people who said that theyve been waiting for five, upwards of six, seven hours just to get their hands on ten sandbags. Wolf, thats how dire the need is for this area to start shoring up their homes. However, i said that 3 00 mandatory evacuation in order tomorrow, wolf, i talked to a lot of people here, and no one has said theyre actually going to evacuate. Everyone has all of their Different Reasons<\/a> whether it be that they have never felt a direct hit from a hurricane before or they dont want to wait to get back into their home once the storm has passed. But certainly, that warning is out there, its just a matter if anyones going to listen to it, wolf. They better listen to those warnings. These are very, very deadly moments, potentially, out there, bren, well get back to you. I want to go back to Central Florida<\/a> right now, the professional storm chaser, ben mcmillen is a field correspondent for weather nation. Hes joining us now from wildwood, northwest of orlando. So what are you seeing there, ben . Reporter yeah, good evening, wolf, from Central Florida<\/a> where we continue to track not one, not two, but three hurricanes in the gulf of mexico. Hurricane irma is being considered one of the strongest ever on earth, and thats whats causing all of this behind me. Were at the florida turnpike and i75 where two major roadways, the traffic has just been slowly moving, trying to get north of the area in enough time, and now to the conditions before they become worse. Looks like its going to be really bad up there as well as people try to escape. Ben, were going to get back to you, stand by for us as well. Coming up, latest forecast on when and where Hurricane Irma<\/a> will hit florida. The growing threat of direct impacts on georgia, the carolinas, also breaking a cnn exclusive. Stand by for details on why Robert Mueller<\/a>s team wants to speak with remembers of the president S White House<\/a> staff. I make it easy to save 600 on car insurance, so being cool comes naturally. Hmm. I cant decide if this place is swag or bling. Its pretzels. Word. Ladies, you know when you switch, you get my bombdiggity discounts automatically. No duh, right . [ chuckles ] sir, you forgot keep it. Youre gonna need it when i make it precipitate. What, what . What . You myour joints. Thing for your heart. Or your digestion. So why wouldnt you take something for the most important part of you. Your brain. With an ingredient originally found in jellyfish, prevagen is now the number one selling brain Health Supplement<\/a> in drug stores nationwide. Prevagen. The name to remember. Stand by for the latest forecast on Hurricane Irma<\/a>, live updates as states order more mandatory evacuations amid warnings that the storm may leave some areas uninhabitable for months. Also following multiple breaking stories connected to the ongoing russian meddling gaxings including new details about Robert Mueller<\/a>s probe. For us. Special Councils Team<\/a> is looking right now to talk with key members of the white house staff. Whats that all about . There are ongoing negotiations and discussions between special council Robert Mueller<\/a>s team as well aS White House<\/a> about interviewing some aBoard Air Force<\/a> one when the initial misleading statement was issued about the meeting at trump tower between donald trump jr. And the russian attorney at the time the statement said it was only about adoptions and it came out it had to do with incriminating information about hillary clinton. What we learned is that Robert Mueller<\/a> wants to speak with, interview and sit down with some white house aides who were on Board Air Force<\/a> one. We learned from sources that the president had a hand in crafting that statement. We are told initially that it is just a small number of aides that will be interviewed. The sources we spoke with cautioned that that number could rise as the investigation is ongoing. Robert mueller wants to talk to these people to find out what they knew and when and any circumstances surrounding the crafting of that statement. It is not illegal to mislead the public. However, we are told it could go to intent. He wants to know if any information was intentionally left out of the statement. It is interesting to note that some white house staffers have had to hire lawyers because now they have been swept up in the russia probe. The president as far as we know has not been asked for any interview. That is correct. Sources tell us that as of now there has not been a request from Robert Mueller<\/a>s team to interview the president. You start with lower level employee employees and work your way up. At this point there is no indication that Robert Mueller<\/a> has made an ask to interview the president. Amidst all of this the president s son, donald trump jr. Was questioned by investigators from the Senate Judiciary<\/a> committee for more than five hours. He was asked, i am told, specifically about the responses to that trump tower meeting including that air force one meeting that pam was just reporting about. What we are told that donald trump jr. Said was he didnt really know much about the white houses involvement, about senior white house officials, how they came across. They were helping shape the public response to the initial revelations that he did meet with russian officials in trump tower after being promised dirt on the Clinton Campaign<\/a> and he also said pretty emphatically that his father had no knowledge that he did, in fact, meet with russians in trump tower. He said his father did not talk to him about it afterwards and nothing really happened from there. We should say there is still a lot of pressure from democrats on the Senate Judiciary<\/a> committee to have a public hearing with donald trump jr. They believe they had a commitment with the republican chairman of the committee to have a public hearing. I talked to grassley earlier. He told me he still has not made a final decision yet and said he wants to read through this interview transcript that happened with Staff Members<\/a> not with members on the committee. And then he will decide whether or not to have a public hearing after consulting with Dianne Feinstein<\/a> on that committee. We will see whether or not we have donald trump jr. Come forward again. He put out a statement saying he believes he is satisfied the inquiry to the fullest extent possible. Would that be a public hearing not just with donald trump jr. But paul manfort . Seems unlikely that he would come forward given the fact that he is under enormous pressure from bob muellers team. There is interest from several committees in talking with man afort as well as having Jared Kushner<\/a> come in and also back to the Senate Intelligence<\/a> committee, as well. The three of them were at that meeting. Stand by. Coming up after tearing through a series of caribbean islands bringing death and destruction, Hurricane Irma<\/a> is on a collision course with florida. Evacuations are underway. Millions of people are now at risk. We have the latest forecast. Been trying to prepare for this day. And im still not ready. The reason im telling you this is that there will be moments in your life that. Youll never be ready for. Your little girl getting married being one of them. Our guests can earn a free night when they book at choicehotels. Com and stay with us just two times . Fall time. Badda book. Badda boom. Pumpkin spice cookie . Im good. Book now at choicehotels. Com happening now, breaking news. Direct hit. Dire warning from floridas governor as the state braces for a record hurricane. The killer storm irma is closing in as it churns across the caribbean. Where will it strike next . Under water, irmas storm surge threatening to leave some areas uninhabitable for months. Hundreds of thousands of people ordered to flee. Millions more being told to be ready to evacuate. Long lines. The looming disaster is leaving florida short of critical supplies with food and water. Officials say the most urgent need right now is fuel. Can florida get enough gas to get everyone to safety . And no recall. Donald trump jr. Answers questions from Senate Investigators<\/a> about russia but says he doesnt remember details of white house involvement in a misleading statement about his meeting with the russian lawyer. Now cnn is learning special council wants to know more","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"archive.org","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","width":"800","height":"600","url":"\/\/ia803400.us.archive.org\/31\/items\/CNNW_20170907_210000_Situation_Room_With_Wolf_Blitzer\/CNNW_20170907_210000_Situation_Room_With_Wolf_Blitzer.thumbs\/CNNW_20170907_210000_Situation_Room_With_Wolf_Blitzer_000001.jpg"}},"autauthor":{"@type":"Organization"},"author":{"sameAs":"archive.org","name":"archive.org"}}],"coverageEndTime":"20240617T12:35:10+00:00"}

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