Officials made a devastating announcement on Thursday regarding the death toll from the wildfires on Maui. The number now stands at 53, making it one of the deadliest blazes in the last century. This is a significant increase from the 36 confirmed deaths reported on Wednesday. Rescuers have been able to access parts of the island that were previously inaccessible due to fires and other obstacles, leading to the discovery of more casualties.
The destruction caused by the wildfires is catastrophic, according to Hawaii Governor Josh Green. During a news conference, he described it as likely the largest natural disaster in the state’s history. The town of Lahaina, a popular tourist destination, has seen hundreds of homes destroyed, and the recovery process will take a substantial amount of time and resources.
The scale of the devastation is comparable to a bomb going off, as expressed by Governor Green. The estimated cost of rebuilding the town is in the billions of dollars, and it will take years to fully restore it to its former state.
This tragedy brings the death toll close to that of California’s 2018 Camp Fire, which claimed 85 lives and is considered the deadliest wildfire in recent history.
Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen Jr. shared his condolences, stating that the community is grieving and will come together to rebuild with resilience and aloha.
The wildfires were fueled by drought conditions and winds from Hurricane Dora, catching the residents of the island by surprise. Lahaina was nearly wiped out, with only a few landmarks still standing, including a lighthouse and the country’s oldest banyan tree.
As recovery efforts begin, thousands of residents will need housing. Governor Green has requested a presidential disaster declaration, which was approved, allowing for federal aid and support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, and officials remain hopeful that they will find more residents who require assistance. The road to recovery will be challenging, but the mayor is confident that the community will rebuild.
President Joe Biden has pledged his support, stating that all available resources will be provided to help the people of Hawaii.
While the exact cause of the fires is unknown, experts believe that climate change plays a significant role in intensifying and increasing the frequency of such disasters. Dry vegetation combined with strong hurricane winds create the perfect conditions for extreme fire weather.
The aftermath of this tragedy serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing climate change and its potential impacts on communities around the world.
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