CNN "CNN Newsroom" - Transcript: "Interview with Sen. Rick Scott"

Interview

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WHITFIELD: All right. Nick Valencia -- thank you so much. We'll check back with you throughout the morning and afternoon.

All right. While Florida may be spared a direct hit, life-threatening storm surge and devastating hurricane force winds are expected to batter the coast.

Joining me now from FEMA headquarters in Washington, Florida Senator Rick Scott. So Senator -- thanks so much for being with me.

You have been through quite a few of these storms before, you know, at your time as governor of Florida. So what is your message to residents of Florida right now?

SEN. RICK SCOTT (R-FL): Well, first off, I'm here at FEMA. You've got your federal agencies all working here, working with state and local efforts to make sure people first are informed. And then wherever the storm hits they're ready.

So don't take the middle of this path saying that's where it's going to hit. Look at that whole cone of uncertainty, and take this seriously because not only is there unbelievable wind. We've got -- we're going to get a lot of rain, and we've got this storm surge.

I remember in Michael, I can say it was very difficult for people to understand that nine foot of storm surge is deadly. And so we don't know where the storm's going to go for sure. Everybody's got to take this seriously along the coast.

[11:05:03] WHITFIELD: In fact, you know, a lot of people will receive this or look at the latest hurricane forecast, see that it bends, you know, turns upward, doesn't appear to, you know -- based on the current models that Florida would take a direct hit.

And when folks heard the governor say you need to have seven days supplies of you know, water, gas, et cetera -- is it your concern that many people will ease up on that because of the latest tracking?

SCOTT: I wouldn't ease up. You can download the FEMA app. They'll give you a lot of information about what you should be ready for and the shelters, evacuation orders, things like that.

I would take this very seriously. Look, we always hope for the best, but think about it. If you wait and this thing turns due west, are you going to have time to get to a shelter? Are you going to have time to evacuate? Are you going to have time to get to the store?

It's going to be a very difficult time then because as it comes along up close to Florida. So I think we all have to take this very seriously.

WHITFIELD: Who are you most concerned about? SCOTT: Well, I mean, look, we've got a lot of new residents, about

400,000 people move into Florida a year. We've got a lot of tourists that come down.

So I tell people is follow the news. Follow the news, follow evacuation orders. The local sheriffs take this very seriously. When they say you should evacuate, evacuate. When the governor says you should have seven days of water, seven days of food, you ought to do it. So don't -- so just listen and take this seriously.

But the people have never been through it before, or here's the other thing, people said oh, I've been through a Category 2 or a Category 3, but they might not have been through nine foot of storm surge. That's what happens to a lot of people. We lost lives in Michael because of that.

WHITFIELD: And of course, you have a lot of tourists, it's a holiday weekend.

SCOTT: Yes.

WHITFIELD: for those who had already embarked on their trips, you know, to Florida for the big Labor Day weekend. But what about among the most vulnerable, particularly those who are, you know, the elderly or perhaps people who are in medical facilities. How do you anticipate assistance for them where --

SCOTT: Sure.

WHITFIELD: -- they may not be in a position of mobility like the general populace.

SCOTT: Well, first off, if you're in a nursing home or if you're in assisted living, you ought to make sure that that facility has a generator. We made -- I got that law passed while I was governor. Make sure that's happened.

And then make -- don't just sit there and be complacent about it. Ask, ask, ask, ask and say why aren't we evacuating. If this thing is getting close, let's go and put ourselves in a safer position.

We open up shelters all across the state for those with special needs, but you ought to know where those are early so you don't wait until the last minute. We also have shelters in Florida for pets. Know where those are. You can download the FEMA app and they'll tell you these things.

WHITFIELD: The President is going to be at Camp David this weekend. Apparently he is scheduled to also attend a hurricane briefing at FEMA headquarters, which is where you are. That will take place tomorrow.

What will be, you know, your conversations? What kind of conversations will you have or perhaps have you already had with the President given your experience with tropical storms and hurricanes in Florida? SCOTT: Well, he was very helpful in the storms that we had while I

was governor. He declared emergencies early. He made sure FEMA was ready.

I mean -- and this week I've talked to FEMA a variety of times. I've talked to HUD. I've talked to AG, I've talked to most of the cabinet members, and they're making sure that the federal government is going to do their part. But it starts with you as an individual doing your part and then local efforts, state efforts and then federal efforts.

Everybody's got to do this together. So I'm going to continue to talk to the President about this. But I know he's very concerned. He canceled his trip.

I'm also going to the Red Cross a little bit later. They're gearing up to open up the shelters around the state. I'm sure they're doing the same thing in Georgia and the Carolinas.

WHITFIELD: All right. Senator Rick Scott -- thank you so much. We're hoping for the best for all of you in Florida and along the South Carolina and now Georgia coast as well.

SCOTT: Thanks.

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