Wildfire roars through Hawaii’s historic Lahaina
President Joe Biden is heading to Hawaii on Monday to survey the damage wrought by the devastating wildfires which have so far claimed 114 victims in Maui.
After facing criticism for his response to the disaster, the president and First Lady Jill Biden will travel from Nevada to Maui to meet with federal, state, and local leaders as well as survivors and first responders who battled the blaze.
Maui County officials said the death toll has now reached 114 people, with around 1,000 still missing.
The search to find and identify victims remains painstakingly slow — only 27 victims have so far been identified, with families of 16 of those yet to be notified.
While Maui turns to efforts to rebuild the community, locals are now bracing for potential storm effects as the remnants of post-tropical cyclone Fernanda head to the state.
Heavy rainfall is expected between Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
Questions continue to mount over why the sirens didn’t sound to warn Lahaina residents about the wildfires – and whether this may have cost lives.
Herman Andaya, head of the Maui Emergency Management Agency, resigned on Thursday following a backlash.
