Hawaii fires deadliest natural disaster in state history
12-08-2023, 09:19

Font size: [ A+ ] / [ A- ]

The Hawaii wildfires have reached a grim milestone as the death toll rose to 67, making it the deadliest natural disaster in the state's history.

Hundreds more have been reported missing and the toll may still rise.

It comes as some Lahaina residents are being allowed to briefly return home on Friday to take stock of the damage to their fire-ravaged town.

They returned amid warnings they would be greeted by "destruction like they've not ever seen in their lives".

State officials reopened Lahaina to people with proof of residency on Friday for the first time since flames swept rapidly through early this week, razing much of the historic town.

People who had been evacuated with only the clothes on their backs told the BBC they were concerned it may be hard to prove their residency.

A curfew will operate daily from 22:00 to 06:00 local time, and some of the hardest hit parts of the town remain restricted to search and rescue personnel.

West Maui, where Lahaina is located, is still without power and water. Search crews are still in the area looking for wildfire victims.

That includes in the water. The Coast Guard said it had pulled 17 people alive from the water near the town's harbour so far. All were reported to be in a stable condition.

But Gabe Lucy, who owns a tour operator on Maui, told the BBC that he was hearing of horrific scenes.

"People were jumping in the water and I think for a lot of them the fire wrapped around so quick that the only way to escape was go down to the water's edge," said Mr Lucy, whose captains were called in to help rescue people.

He added that they were "picking up four-year-olds and putting them surfboards and pulling them out" and that he had heard reports of "bodies on the rocks".

On the Honoapiilani Highway - one of the only available routes into Lahaina - cars sat bumper-to-bumper, with families looking tired and worried alongside trucks carrying water and fuel.

One family told the BBC they had stayed in Lahaina through the worst of the fire, only leaving on Thursday to buy much-needed supplies.

Their house was still standing, but they have been "sitting in the dark".

The family told the BBC they believed the number of confirmed dead, though already high, would rise further. "On our street alone it's 50 people," one family member said.

Governor Josh Green warned Hawaiians on Friday what they found in Lahaina would be difficult.

"Lahaina is a devastated zone. They will see destruction like they've not ever seen in their lives," said the governor, who visited the town on Thursday. "Be very safe, be very careful."

He said it will take many years to repair the damage caused by wildfires on the island of Maui. More than 1,000 buildings had been destroyed in Lahaina, a coastal town with a rich history that attracts some two million tourists a year.

On Friday, Maui County officials also confirmed 12 additional deaths in Lahaina.

That makes it Hawaii's deadliest natural disaster, eclipsing the toll of a tsunami in 1960 that killed 61 people.

Hawaii's Attorney General has announced a "comprehensive review" into how the authorities responded to the wildfires.

That is as questions mount over whether officials warned residents fast enough.

Despite some residents being allowed to return to Lahaina on Friday, many of the evacuees at the War Memorial Stadium shelter, about 20 miles (32km) from the historic town, say they are not in a rush to go back.

Most of them witnessed their homes beginning to catch fire as they barely escaped and are certain that nothing remains to return to.

Many told the BBC they were just grateful to be alive.

Rebuilding is expected to require billions of dollars. Thousands of people have been left homeless.

There are six shelters in operation on Maui for those displaced, and officials said they were drafting a plan to house them in hotels and tourist rental properties.

In recent days, donations have been rolling in to relief and aid organisations on Maui.

The island is home to many wealthy people, including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. He and his partner Lauren Sanchez have pledged $100m (£79m) to help the fire victims.

Wildfires on Hawaii's Maui island and Big Island began on Tuesday night. The cause is still not known but once lit, hurricane winds and dry weather helped fuel the flames.

 

BBC

Comments: 2976
#2956   Ilana
      
most effective bodybuilding supplements

References:
https://notes.io/escae
3 March 2026 01:42
#2955   SEO backlinks service
      
Buy Mustard Oil Online: Discover Anjali Gold, the best oil for Indian cooking. Shop 100% pure, cold-pressed Kachi Ghani mustard oil for authentic flavor and health benefits. High-quality mustard oil for a healthy and flavorful culinary experience. Shop in India now for home delivery at the best price. ✓100% Purest Mustard Oil. ✓Free Delivery at your door steps.!!
2 March 2026 23:16
#2954   Antwan
      
hi!,I really like your writing so so much!
percentage we keep up a correspondence extra about your article on AOL?
I require a specialist on this house to unravel my problem.
Maybe that's you! Taking a look forward to look you.
dark websites https://darkmarketsdirectory.com
2 March 2026 15:43
#2953   umar khatri
      
Perkembangan teknologi mendorong banyak platform untuk terus berinovasi. Rajabandot termasuk yang menghadirkan pembaruan berkala guna meningkatkan kenyamanan pengguna. Desain antarmuka yang modern memudahkan navigasi. Pengguna pun dapat merasakan pengalaman yang lebih terstruktur dan praktis dalam setiap sesi penggunaan. rajabandot
2 March 2026 08:29
#2952   Kaitlyn
      
my website; high Stakes Sweeps
2 March 2026 04:30
#2951   SEO backlinks service
      
Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting?I have read a few of the articles on your website now, and I really like your style. Thanks a million and please keep up the effective work. buy cat beds in delhi
1 March 2026 19:38
#2950   Lavina
      
Yes! Finally something about betflix. betflix
1 March 2026 08:26
#2949   SEO backlinks service
      
El código promocional 1xBet "1XBRO200" es válido para 2026. Usando este código durante el registro, se puede obtener un bono de bienvenida de hasta 130€. Entre las promociones de 1xbet se destaca el "viernes de la suerte", un bono que ofrece un 100% en el primer depósito realizado cada viernes, hasta un máximo de 130€. Este bono opera de la misma manera que el de bienvenida, aunque con un importe menor, y se libera siguiendo las mismas condiciones mediante apuestas combinadas. Activar elbono de bienvenida con el código promocional 1xbet es un proceso sencillo y accesible para cualquier usuario, sin necesidad de tener conocimientos técnicos. ¿cuál es el código promocional de 1xbet?
1 March 2026 08:04
#2948   Kandi
      
casino luck

References:
www.elsieisy.com
1 March 2026 05:40
#2947   Christoper
      
aspers casino stratford

References:
schlatthof.net
1 March 2026 05:24
#2946   SEO backlinks service
      
Stabilitas sistem menjadi faktor penting yang membuat rajabandot semakin dipercaya. rajabandot

Kenyamanan dalam setiap proses penggunaan membuat rajabandot semakin populer di kalangan pengguna internet aktif. rajabandot

Nagaspin99 menawarkan pengalaman hiburan online yang aman dan menyenangkan. Situs ini memiliki berbagai permainan menarik dengan fitur lengkap. Sistem stabil dan interface ramah pengguna membuat pemain nyaman. Proses registrasi cepat, layanan pelanggan responsif, dan keamanan transaksi selalu terjamin. Banyak pemain menjadikan Nagaspin99 platform favorit mereka. slot gacor
28 February 2026 21:03
#2945   SEO backlinks service
      
Rajabandot dikenal memiliki akses yang mudah dan cepat. Dengan dukungan teknologi modern, rajabandot semakin berkembang. rajabandot

Rajabandot hadir dengan teknologi modern yang mendukung akses cepat. Hal ini membuat rajabandot semakin diminati. rajabandot

Rajabandot dikenal memiliki desain ramah pengguna dan navigasi sederhana. Rajabandot cocok untuk semua kalangan. rajabandot
27 February 2026 18:53
#2944   Jimmie
      
27 February 2026 10:50
#2943   Victorina
      
Excelente cassino para jogadores brasileiros. Essa plattaforma oferece promoções honestas com
PIX rápido.

Recomendo o Casino Bonanza Brasiul para jogadores
sérios. Oferta excelente e rodadas grátis todo dia.


Uso essa plataforma faz um tempo com total satisfação com saques.
PIX rápido e suporte em português impressionam.

O bônus de boas-vindas dessa plataforma está entre os maiores que já vi.
Até cinco mmil reais e free pins para novoss
jogadores.

Cassino online confiável que aceita PIX. Essa plataforma tem licença válida e nunca atrasa pagamentos.



Jogando no Casino Bonanza Brasil e aprovei com os bônus oferecidos.
Mais de 3.000 jogos com Sweet Bonanza e muito mais.



Perfeito para cassino online no Brasil. O Casino Bonanza oferece tudo: bônus, jogos e saques
rápidos.

my webpage - bonanza
brasil casino
27 February 2026 01:25
#2942   SEO backlinks service
      
Rajabandot memudahkan pengguna dalam menjelajahi berbagai kategori permainan. Dengan navigasi yang jelas, rajabandot memberikan pengalaman yang lebih efisien. rajabandot

Rajabandot menghadirkan pengalaman hiburan yang dinamis dan fleksibel. Platform rajabandot terus menyesuaikan diri dengan perkembangan digital. rajabandot

Rajabandot memberikan pengalaman hiburan yang fleksibel dan dinamis. Platform rajabandot terus menyesuaikan diri dengan perkembangan teknologi digital. rajabandot
27 February 2026 00:58
#2941   Karin
      
Feel free to visit my blog ... live Poker Online
26 February 2026 20:53
#2940   Loreen
      
do bodybuilders use steroids

References:
g.clicgo.ru
26 February 2026 20:20
#2939   Willis
      
%random_anchor_text%

References:
ajarproductions.com
26 February 2026 19:52
#2938   Sherman
      
%random_anchor_text%

References:
my.vipaist.ru
26 February 2026 16:31
#2937   Dean
      
what does winstrol look like

References:
https://panoptikon.org/user/frogflare1
26 February 2026 10:30
Add Comments

Name:*
E-Mail:
  Geo Keyboard  
 

Dear reader, guardian.ge welcomes your comments. Please express your views on topic and be respectful of others.

bold italic underline strike | align left centered align right | Ensert smilies insert linkInsert protected URL Choice the color | hidden text insert quote Convert selected text from transliteration to Cyrillic alphabet Insert spoiler

Code: *


Back1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ... 149Next