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On Thursday, Maui County authorities confirmed that at least 53 people have died as a result of the devastating hurricane-driven wildfires that hit the Hawaiian Islands.
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Major Disaster Declaration for Hawaii Due to Raging Wildfires
“As firefighting efforts continue, 17 additional fatalities have been confirmed today amid the active Lahaina fire. This brings the death toll to 53 people,” Maui County informed.
The death toll was 36 earlier in the day. Strong winds from Hurricane Dora were to blame for the deadly wildfires, destroying parts of Lahaina, a tourist spot on Maui Island. Officials warned the death toll could grow even higher.
The wildfire that caused widespread damage in Lahaina town was reported to be 80 percent contained this morning after the fire department reported making progress in fighting the Lahaina fire and fires in Pulehu and Upcountry Maui. The status of all three fires remained unchanged as of Thursday afternoon.
#BREAKING: Video- Dozens forced to jump into the ocean, to escape the flames and smoke in Maui. Officials say at least 50 people are dead, hundreds more are missing in one of the largest wildfire disasters in modern U.S. history. #BreakingNews pic.twitter.com/2lgt9N5ApU
— Breaking 4 News (@Breaking_4_News)
August 11, 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday morning approved a major disaster declaration for Hawaii in the wake of the devastating hurricane-driven wildfires.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green is on Maui to survey the damage. In a video speech at the scene in Lahaina, Green said that “over a thousand buildings” have likely been destroyed.
“This is a tragic day for everyone in Hawaii and the nation. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims and the survivors suffering through the deadliest natural disaster the state has seen in generations,” he said in an earlier statement.
Originally built on islands and low lying mangrove swamps, Recife is the World’s 16th most vulnerable city to climate change according to the IPCC. One effect of this process is that floods are more frequent and more violent. My story for @telesurenglish pic.twitter.com/S28LusLscF
— BrianMier (@BrianMteleSUR)
July 16, 2023
