Hawaii News Now reports:
Maui County says 36 people are now confirmed dead in the devastating wildfires that have decimated entire towns, including historic Lahaina. The heartbreaking news, which some feared could rise even higher, makes the wildfires among the deadliest disasters in Hawaii history.
Meanwhile, at least three large fires on Maui — including the blaze in Lahaina — are still active and out of control, which means a full picture of the devastation hasn’t yet come into view. Lahaina appears to be the hardest hit area and access to the area is still being blocked off.
In addition to the fatalities, officials say dozens more are injured, some critically. And thousands are displaced, with hundreds flocking to emergency shelters and many more sleeping in their cars, including at a Walmart that opened its bathrooms to evacuees.
Read the full article.
36 people have been confirmed killed in the raging wildfires that decimated entire Maui communities and all but leveled historic Lahaina town, and authorities fear that number could rise as emergency responders slowly move into fire-ravaged areas. #HInews #HNN pic.twitter.com/h4KMx9J6Y6
— Hawaii News Now (@HawaiiNewsNow) August 10, 2023
🚨 JUST IN: Death toll from Maui, Hawaii fires has reached 36
The town of Lahaina looks absolutely apocalyptic. There is practically nothing left.
Winds from a distant hurricane fanned the flames of a wildfire, engulfing the resort town with very little warning.
People fled… pic.twitter.com/sHLVcCxaiv
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) August 10, 2023
Much of the historic district of Lahaina, a Maui town that was once Hawaii’s royal capital, was razed on Wednesday by hurricane-driven wildfires.
“We had no preparation, no warning, nothing,” one resident said. https://t.co/SzFoHVVYsX
— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 10, 2023
For those who are not on Maui, it’s hard to imagine the devastation.
Longtime resident, Emerson Timmins who saw the disaster in Lahaina joined KHON2 News for an interview: pic.twitter.com/POeeZDgiNd
— KHON2 News (@KHONnews) August 10, 2023