The death toll from Hawaii wildfires will “rise significantly” from the current 36 and “billions of dollars of property have been destroyed,” the governor warns – as officials are due to provide an update tonight
- Josh Green, the Democratic Gov. of Hawaii, told CNN Thursday night that the death toll is likely to rise significantly from 36
- Green said it would likely surpass the 1960 tsunami, which killed 61 people
- He said 1,700 buildings were believed to have been destroyed and billions of dollars in damage was caused
The governor of Hawaii said Thursday the death toll from Maui’s wildfires is likely to rise significantly, saying they could dwarf the 1960 tsunami that killed 61 people.
The death toll currently stands at 36 but Josh Green said it will rise. Officials will provide an update later Thursday.
“I’m telling you, by the time this disaster is fully described, dozens of lives will surely be lost and billions of dollars worth of property destroyed,” Green said.
He told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer that 1,700 buildings were likely destroyed in the fire.
He said most buildings in Lahaina, a historic town on Maui, have completely disappeared, with some still smoking.
Only a few stone buildings remain, he said.
“Also, we’re only now sending some of our search and rescue personnel to other homes,” Green said, adding that helicopters are also surveying the area.
A man walks through the smoldering ruins of Lahaina on Wednesday
Burnt out cars are seen after the fires ravaged parts of Maui
Smoke from the fires billows over Lahaina Thursday
The cause of the forest fire is still unknown.
Green said it would likely be a worse natural disaster than the May 1960 tsunami, which was triggered by an earthquake in Chile.
This tragedy killed 61 people.
Even Hawaii is not immune to wildfires: In 2018, a total of 30,000 hectares of land burned down, with the flames being fanned by Hurricane Lane.
This time strong winds were caused by Hurricane Dora passing south of the islands.