Hurricane-fueled wildfires ravage Maui
At least 36 deaths have been reported on the island of Maui as a result of the fires.
Wildfires that drove some into the ocean in an attempt to evacuate have led to at least 36 deaths on the island of Maui, Hawaii. In a press conference on Wednesday, Maui County Mayor Richard Bisson reported homes, businesses and other structures have been burned by the fires – many to the ground. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing.
The fires were fueled by strong winds from Category 4 Hurricane Dora, which missed Hawaii to the south by a couple hundred miles, according to AccuWeather.
Three fires were still active in Maui County as of Wednesday afternoon, including one in Kula that had already burned an estimated 1,100 acres since it was reported Tuesday morning. Power and phone service were knocked out in many of the affected areas, and officials expect they will only know the full extent of damage on the island once all of the fires are contained.
In addition to strong winds from Hurricane Dora, the Weather Channel reports dry conditions also played a role, as portions of Maui are in a moderate to severe drought.
“We have suffered a terrible disaster in the form of a wildfire that has spread widely as a result of hurricane-force winds in the region and underlying drought conditions. Maui and the Big Island both experienced significant fires. Much of Lāhainā on Maui has been destroyed and hundreds of local families have been displaced,” Hawaii Governor Josh Green said in a release on Wednesday.
Green stated he has been in contact with both his leadership team and the White House as the situation has unfolded.
“The White House has been incredibly supportive and we expect to submit a request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration in the next 36 to 48 hours, once we know how vast the damage is,” Green said.
The American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) released a statement in response to the Maui wildfires encouraging homeowners, renters and business owners to follow all evacuation orders and to contact their insurance company once they have reached safety to begin the claims process. They also advise those displaced to discuss coverage for temporary housing with their insurer, as homeowners and renters policies generally provide additional living expenses if your home is uninhabitable because of a covered peril.
“Insurers are ready to help Maui homeowners, renters and businesses impacted by these wildfires,” Karen Collins, APCIA vice president, property & environmental, said in a release. “This first step is contacting your insurer to start your claim. This is what you have insurance for. Your company or agent will help you navigate this process and get you what you need each step of the way.”