President Joe Biden has declared Hawaii a disaster area, clearing the way for federal aid to help Maui residents and businesses recover from devastating wildfires. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green and U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz were working to assess the damage on Thursday. The federal funding will include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover damaged uninsured property and other programs. At least 36 people have died in the fires and officials are warning that the toll could rise. A Hawaii Emergency Management Agency spokesperson says search-and-rescue teams are fanning out in the devastated areas in the hopes of finding survivors.
Officials in Hawaii warned Thursday that the death toll - already at 36 - could rise, with the fires still burning and teams spreading out to search charred areas.Search-and-rescue teams are fanning out in the devastated areas in the hopes of finding survivors, Adam Weintraub, communication director
Follow live updates about wildfires that are racing across part of Maui in Hawaii, destroying sections of a historic town on the island and forcing some to flee to the relative safety of the ocean, where the U.S. Coast Guard rescued them.
Officials in Hawaii are warning that the death toll from wildfires racing across part of Maui in Hawaii could rise, with the fires still burning and teams spreading out to
President Joe Biden has approved a disaster declaration for Hawaii, clearing the way for federal aid to help the state recover from devastating wildfires in Maui.