MAUI, Hawaii – Heartbreak fills Hawaii following dozens of deaths after strong winds fueled the island’s worst destruction in over 30 years. Search and rescue operations are still underway as the real work toward recovery begins.
The fast-moving wildfires caused chaos on Maui, resulting in 36 confirmed deaths. Officials there are concerned that the death toll could rise.
With the glow of flames still visible Thursday, firefighters continue their fire battle on some parts of the island since it first broke out Saturday evening.
“Winds will slowly decrease Thursday across the Islands as strong high pressure to the north will continue to weaken and move westward,” said FOX Forecast Center Senior Meteorologist Jordan Overton.
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It’s unclear what sparked these fires, but command leaders say that conditions have been arid and that winds from passing Hurricane Dora hundreds of miles to the south and a strong ridge of high pressure enhanced the multiple wildfires and caused them to spread quickly.
“A very typical August trade wind pattern heading is expected to develop heading into the weekend, where winds could gust anywhere from 10-20 mph daily,” Overton said. “The NWS has dropped the Wind and Fire Alerts for the Islands.”
Gusts of up to 85 miles per hour per, grounding firefighting aircraft, have aided in the decimation of some communities on Maui. Block after block in the historic seaside town of Lahaina was left burnt to the ground. In some cases, people had to jump into the ocean to escape the flames.
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“I was the last one off the dock, and when the firestorm came through the banyan tree and took everything with it, and I just ran out to the beach,” said Dustin Johnson, s crew member from Lahaina Harbor. “I just helped everybody I could along the way.”
On Wednesday afternoon, Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke joined the U.S. Coast Guard for an aerial damage assessment of the areas affected by the wildfires.
“Seeing the devastation of Kihei and Lahaina firsthand was incredibly sobering and heartbreaking,” she said. “My heart hurts for the lives lost and the loved ones they leave behind.”
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Luke said the state is working tirelessly to ensure the health and safety of every person affected.
“While our beloved Lahaina is forever changed, the love and aloha of the community is steadfast,” she added.
Four shelters have been established on Maui after more than 2,000 people have had to evacuate.
Tourists are being told to stay away from the island as some airlines help to ferry people to the main island.