2023-08-10 19:35:16
US President Joe Biden declared a state of natural disaster on Thursday. This will allow the release of federal aid to finance relief. The still provisional balance sheet amounts to 36 dead. Thousands of people were evacuated.
“Apocalyptic fires“, reports AFP, to describe the violence of the flames which affect the island of Maui, in particular the seaside resort of Lahaina, former capital of the kingdom of Hawaii, which was almost razed.
US President Joe Biden declared a state of natural disaster on Thursday, August 10. “President’s action makes federal funds available to those affected in Maui County”, the White House said in a statement. This aid will make it possible in particular to finance emergency relief and reconstruction efforts.
At least 36 people were discovered in the rubble in the archipelago, according to a still provisional official report. Pinned down by the flames, some townspeople were forced to throw themselves into the sea to escape the fire.
Fueled by strong winds, fed by the force of Hurricane Dora which is currently passing through the Pacific Ocean, the fires are mainly affecting the island of Maui. Another focus concerns the island of Oahu where the state capital, Honolulu, is located, and the big island of Hawaii is also in the grip of flames. The National Guard had already been activated and President Joe Biden had announced the mobilization of “all available federal means” on the archipelago to fight fires.
The wind has already damaged more than 271 structures and knocked down many utility poles and communication networks have been cut on part of Maui. This greatly complicated the task of rescue, because even the 911 emergency call service did not work in certain areas of the island. According to the PowerOutage site, around 11,000 homes and businesses remained without electricity on Thursday in the archipelago.
New bus evacuations for locals and tourists are planned on Maui, authorities said. Visitors will be taken to Kahului Airport, residents to a shelter, Maui County said.
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