2023-08-09 14:52:20
Fires are raging in the American archipelago of Hawaii, where a state of emergency has been declared, forcing residents to evacuate and even some to jump into the ocean to escape the fires.
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Fueled by strong winds, the fires on the islands of Maui and Hawaii have devoured homes and businesses, particularly in the tourist town of Lahaina, according to testimonies and videos circulating on social networks.
According to Vice Governor Sylvia Luke, the hospital network in Maui was “overwhelmed” by the influx of patients suffering from burns or having inhaled smoke.
“The fact that we have fires in several regions, and that it is the indirect consequence of a hurricane, is unprecedented,” said CNN acting governor Sylvia Luke in reference to Hurricane Dora. These weather phenomena usually bring rain and floods, she explained.
Wildfire has engulfed businesses on Front Street in downtown Lahaina in West Maui, home to 12,000 people.
The Coast Guard is responding to people who were forced to go into the ocean due to the flames.
Video credit to Alan Dickar, a local resident of Lahaina. pic.twitter.com/8uiyHQP55B
— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) August 9, 2023
The situation is “very serious and dramatic”, she added. Evacuations are “in progress”, she continued, without being able to say how many people were affected.
“People are jumping in the water to avoid the fires,” senior Hawaii military official General Kenneth Hara told Hawaii News Now.
The Coast Guard says it rescued 12 people in the waters off Lahaina and is dispatching ships to Maui.
More than 15,000 homes and businesses were without electricity in the archipelago, according to the PowerOutage site.
According to Sylvia Luke, the 911 emergency call service was not working in some affected areas.
“911 does not work. Mobile phone services don’t work…and that’s part of the problem. Maui County is unable to communicate with residents,” she said.
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