Governor Green says the death toll, currently at 96, could rise by “10 to 20 people” per day.
The recent wildfires in Hawaii, driven by strong winds and dry conditions, are reportedly 85 and 60 percent contained. Officials say it is the worst natural disaster since a tsunami in 1960 that claimed the lives of 61 people. About a thousand people are missing and there are 96 known dead at this time.
Governor Josh Green said that, as search efforts continue with cadaver dogs, “They will find 10 to 20 people per day, probably, until they finish.“ He estimated that it could take 10 days or more to find those who died because of the fires.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is bringing in food, water, protective masks, and other equipment, according to Director Jeremy Greenberg, of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Office of Response and Recovery.
Residents report that emergency warning sirens were not activated to alert people to the danger and that warnings were received only through radio, television, and mobile alerts. Some have questioned whether the power company ought to have preemptively shut down electricity to prevent downed lines from sparking fires.
Mobile phone service is gradually being restored. Drinking water has been contaminated in the wake of the fires and toxic debris covers what remains in Lahaina. Travel to Maui is discouraged as hotels house first responders and evacuees.
Vice President Kamala Harris said that she and the president will not be going to Hawaii at this time, saying they “don’t want to distract from the resources that need to go into the victims of this tragedy, and of course, the needs of the first responders have to be able to focus on that issue and not worry about focusing on us [because] we’re there.” She added, “We are coordinating federal resources to swiftly get there to support the work in terms of recovery but to just support the folks on the ground.“
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell as she coordinates recovery efforts with Hawaiian and Maui officials.
- For Governor Green and other state and local leaders as they support recovery efforts.
- For the first responders, evacuees, and residents as they work through the devastation.
Sources: NBC News, NY Times, PBS, Townhall
