The death toll resulting from the destructive wildfires that have swept through Maui escalated to 67 on Friday.
The ongoing firefight against Hawaii’s deadliest natural catastrophe led to the confirmation of 12 additional fatalities, surpassing the 61 deaths from the 1960 Hilo tsunami.
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Hawaii governor Josh Green acknowledged the likelihood of more fatalities, emphasising the uncertainty of the final count.
Efforts to recover victims were hindered by hazardous conditions within buildings, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was expected to assist in this process. Residents of Lahaina were permitted to return to assess the devastation, revealing the profound destruction on Front Street, a central part of the island’s economy.
The disaster’s swift onset shocked survivors, prompting reflections on the absence of effective warnings. While Hawaii boasts an extensive all-hazard public safety warning system, it appears that the emergency management records show no activation of public warning sirens. Instead, alerts were disseminated through mobile phones, TVs, and radios, but connectivity disruptions might have limited their reach.
The disaster response has raised questions, with concerns about access to vital supplies for those trapped or in need. West Maui continued to face water and power shortages, and hazardous conditions hindered search and rescue operations in certain areas.
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