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CNN LIVE SATURDAY
Hurricane Fabian Hits Bermuda
Aired September 6, 2003 - 18:16 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KELLI ARENA, CNN ANCHOR: Our Gary Tuchman rode out the storm. He joins us now by phone with more on the mop-up in Bermuda. Gary, how goes it?
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kelli, Fabian's hurricane force winds were felt for about six hours, and although there was extensive damage, there appears to be little catastrophic damage. But catastrophe did occur on a mile-long bridge leading to Bermuda Airport. Two people were trapped on the bridge in their two cars during the hurricane, with water rising rapidly. Two police officers and a civilian police employee came in a squad car for the rescue.
Now, one of the civilians got away safely, but a huge tidal surge then came, and both of the other cars went tumbling in the water an ocean inlet. Four people are officially classified as missing. Today, their vehicles were recovered from the water, but no bodies were found. Sadly, they are feared dead.
Now, all over the island, driving is still very hazardous. Hundreds of trees and power lines were blocking roads last night. Less now, but it is still very difficult to get around, and was virtually impossible to get anywhere at all last night. The winds, 115 miles per hour for much of those six hours, from 4:00 in the afternoon to 10:00 at night local time here in Bermuda. The premier of Bermuda, the government's leader, Alex Scott, said the wind gauge here, the official wind gauge at the airport was 143 miles per hour, and then broke because it was so high. So no one know how high the wind gusts went to.
As of today, 70 percent of the customers here in Bermuda still have no electricity and many don't have water. Kelli, back to you.
ARENA: Well, Gary, we've been looking at video, which I assume is from yesterday, because we're seeing high gust winds, and the water crashing. What is the day like today? I was told earlier that it may be a lot calmer. Is it?
TUCHMAN: Kelli, if you're sitting on the beach today, which we haven't been, I might add, but if you were, you would not -- you would think it's the most beautiful tourist day ever. Sunny, very little breeze, perfect day. It's when you venture into the city of Hamilton, and drive around the countryside that you see the damage from yesterday, but like we see a lot during hurricanes, the day after is usually a wonderful day.
ARENA: All right, well, we're glad that at least you get a wonderful day, because you had a rough one yesterday, Gary. Thanks so much.
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