Survivors of the deadly wildfires in Maui, Hawaii are facing challenges as they try to rebuild their lives. The death toll has reached 106, and a mobile morgue unit with additional coroners has been brought in to help identify the remains. However, the search and recovery efforts may be complicated by an approaching storm. Communication on the island remains difficult, with intermittent power and unreliable cell service. Some residents have resorted to walking to a seawall, where phone connections are strongest, to make calls. In addition, a single-prop airplane has been flying low off the coast, using a loudspeaker to provide information on where to find water and supplies.
Thousands of people are currently staying in shelters, hotel rooms, Airbnb units, or with friends. Around 2,000 homes and businesses still do not have electricity, and the fire has also contaminated water supplies in many areas. The wildfire, which almost completely destroyed the historic town of Lahaina, has caused significant damage and loss for many individuals. Victoria Martocci, who lost her scuba business and a boat, is planning to travel to her storage unit to save documents and keepsakes given to her by a friend whose house burned.
Efforts to locate and identify the victims are underway, with crews using cadaver dogs to secure remains. However, the search is being expedited due to the possibility of storms forecasted for the weekend. Crews have searched about 32% of the burn area, but there may still be more bodies to be found. The wildfires in Maui are already the deadliest in the United States in over a century. As a precautionary measure, officials are considering cutting off power during the storms. The local power utility has faced criticism for leaving power on during the initial wildfire, and the cause of the wildfires is still under investigation.
Maui Police Chief John Pelletier has appealed for families with missing relatives to provide DNA samples to aid in the identification process. So far, 41 samples have been submitted, and 13 DNA profiles have been obtained from remains. Federal officials have sent a mobile morgue unit with coroners, pathologists, and technicians to assist with the identification of the dead. Governor Josh Green emphasized the difficulty of the mission and urged patience due to the high number of victims. He also mentioned that children are among the dead, as smaller bodies indicate their presence.
The Lahaina fire, which destroyed nearly every building in the town, has caused an estimated $3.2 billion in insured property losses. The actual damage to uninsured property is not included in this calculation. President Joe Biden has expressed his intention to visit Hawaii to assess the situation, but he does not want his presence to disrupt the ongoing recovery and cleanup efforts. Despite the challenges faced by the survivors, there are stories of heroism and resilience emerging. Kekoa Lansford, a Lahaina resident who helped rescue people during the fire, is now collecting stories from survivors to create a timeline of the events.
The wildfires in Maui have had a devastating impact on the community, and the road to recovery will be long and difficult. However, the efforts to rebuild and support the survivors are ongoing, with assistance from both local and federal authorities.
Original Story at apnews.com – 2023-08-16 11:04:00
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