Maui death toll now stands at 99
Destroyed homes and cars are shown, Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii.
At least 99 people died in a wildfire that ripped through parts of Maui last week, making it the deadliest wildfire in modern United States history.
The Maui Police Department said 99 deaths have been confirmed as of Monday night, but only three bodies have been identified. Maui County Officials said they will release the names of the dead once families are notified.
Around 25 percent of the area has been searched as authorities and cadaver dogs look for more causalities on the island.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (D) said Monday rescue crews could discover “10 to 20 people a day” until rescue efforts are complete.
In the historic Lahaina town on Maui, the wildfire burnt through an estimated 2,170 acres and damaged or destroyed at least 2,207 structures, Maui County officials said Monday. Green told “CBS Mornings” co-anchor Tony Dokoupil that the residents of the centuries-old town have either perished or escaped. That fire is 85 percent contained, while a fire in upcountry Maui is 65 percent contained as crews battle hot spots in hard-to-reach locations, officials said.
The wildfire forced thousands of residents to evacuate, with many unable to return home. Even in areas where the fire has retreated, authorities are warning of toxic byproducts from the flames, The Associated Press reported. The Red Cross said 575 evacuees were staying in five shelters as of Monday, including the War Memorial Gymnasium in Wailuku.
The Maui Police Department suspended a program Monday that permitted Lahaina residents and others to visit the impacted areas in West Maui with police permits, citing an “overwhelming demand for non-essential individuals and non-Maui residents.”
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said it received more than 3,000 valid registrations for federal assistance and has more than 300 employees and more than 140 search and rescue team members deployed to assist in rescue efforts. The agency is also giving $700 to displaced residents to help cover food, water, first aid, and medical supplies costs.
The PDC and FEMA estimated around $5.52 billion in damages, according to the agencies’ damage assessment map. Last week, President Biden asked Congress for a $40 billion package, which includes $12 billion to replenish U.S. federal disaster funds at home.