Catastrophic wildfires have ravaged the island of Maui, destroying communities and killing at least 53 people, according to county officials. Others remain unaccounted for.
Gov. Josh Green, speaking to CNN, cited a previous natural disaster, the 1960 tsunami that caused 61 deaths. “This time, it’s very likely that our death totals will significantly exceed that, I’m afraid,” he said.
The historic town of Lahaina, a hub for tourism and Maui’s economy on the west side of the island, has borne the brunt of the firestorm.
Here’s where things stand Thursday:
Devastation on the ground: The fires, fueled in part by strong winds associated with faraway Hurricane Dora, burnt most of Lahaina to the ground and destroyed homes and businesses in other communities on Maui. The fires caused explosions at gas stations and harbor fuel depots, burning boats down to the water line. Satellite images show the extent of the damage. Residents — many of them caught off-guard — made desperate escapes, with little time to gather belongings. Some even jumped in the water to survive. Nearly 11,000 residents are still without power this afternoon.
Firefighters are making progress: The wildfire that destroyed Lahaina is now 80% contained, Maui County officials said late Thursday morning local time (Hawaii is six hours behind ET). Firefighters battling two other major fires on the island are also making progress, including on the Pulehu fire — located further east in Kihei — which is now 70% contained. The other fire is located in the hills of Maui’s central Upcountry, and it is still being assessed.
Many people are displaced: More than 1,300 residents and tourists stayed in emergency shelters overnight, before many of them were taken to the airport to leave the island, according to county leaders. Another roughly 1,400 people slept at the airport Wednesday night. Airlines are adjusting their schedules to help people get off the island.
Others are missing, and cell service is down: Given the chaotic evacuation and widespread communications issues, it has been difficult to account for everyone. California is sending a search and rescue team to aid crews from the US Coast Guard, Navy and other agencies, which already searching on the ground, by sea and by helicopter. Residents told CNN they’re checking the registry at shelters and hoping unanswered messages are a result of the communications outage. It could take days or even weeks to fix networks, and officials have had to rely on satellite phones to communicate emergency information.
Scramble for resources: President Joe Biden has approved a disaster declaration for Hawaii to ramp up the level of federal aid for areas affected by wildfires. The island’s isolated nature presents a uniquely difficult situation for relief agencies like FEMA trying to deploy their teams. A Hawaii lawmaker praised the federal response but said the island needs even more help — and faster.
How to help: Help is desperately needed for people displaced by the fires, and residents CNN interviewed Thursday urged viewers and readers to contribute if they can. You can support relief efforts here.
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