Hello, everyone. Thank you so much for joining me. Im fredericka witfield. The southwestern u. S. Is bracing for potentially catastrophic flooding as hurricane hilary churns off the pacific. We just learned moments ago that the storm has weakened just a bit to a category 3 storm with 125 mile an hour winds. Its lashing mexico with strong winds and high waves right now. Forecasters warn it could dump more than a years worth of rain across parts of california, nevada and arizona. The storm is expected to weaken as it moves north, but the threat is so severe, a Tropical Storm watch has been issued for california, the first ever for that state. People there are trying to prepare as best they can. Cnn meteorologist Allison Chinchar is joining us. A new advisory has just been issued. While it may have been downgraded a little bit, thats still very threatening. Right. Keep in mind the weakening was forecast. We knew as it slid into cooler waters, this was going to happen. In terms of the fore
Lahaina is now contained. The pulehu fire, in the middle of the island, is about 70 contained. And officials are also dealing with a third fire in upcountry maui, with no estimate on its containment. In just over four days, the fires have burned roughly 2,000 acres, and have destroyed more than 1,000 buildings. These are images from the Historic Town of lahaina, which was hardest hit. Local officials are allowing residents and tourists back into the town, but a nightly curfew is in place. We are now beginning to learn about the harrowing stories of survivors like this one, where one family was forced tojump into the ocean to escape the flames. The ocean almost dragged my kids away a few times. But, yeah, we stuck together, we held on. I said, were not going to die, and were here, were alive. An unprecedented logistical effort is under way from all over the united states, as Government Agencies are mobilising resources to send to hawaii. The States National guard has chartered planes to
Coastline completely burned. Felt this heat, this tremendous heat. Major the urgent need for more resources as just 100 firefighters struggle to get control of the massive blaze. President biden has signed off on what will likely be a politicallycharged agreement with iran to bring home five imprisoned american citizens. In exchange, the Iranian Regime will gain access to billions of dollars in blocked funds. The assassination of a president ial candidate rocking the country of ecuador. This less than two weeks before an election has led to a State Of Emergency there. The new Consumer Price index, or cpi, shows Inflation Rose for the first time in 12 months. I have to choose, milk one week, eggs the next week. And it is very difficult. Major eye on america. How a deepdiving robot is helping electric Vehicle Manufacturers keep up with demand. Each 5 million Robotic Vehicle uses cameras and Artificial Intelligence to find rocks that contain metals, but not animal life. The barriers that
Its like an apocalypse. People are running for their lives. Wildfires, high wind, the danger we are looking at video in maui from raging wildfires on the island. Every single memory we had in that household, everything was gone in the blink of an eye. The most complete accounting yet can of the high life of Supreme Court Justice Clarence thomas shows much, much more than previously known. Its the idea that you are receiving gifts of this magnitude. Justice thomas has been living a life of extreme luxury for 30 years underwritten by at least four different ultra wealthy benefactors. Fulton County District attorney fani willis is expected to seek charges against more than a dozen people when she presents her case before a grand jury next week. Cnn has learned that willis received additional security protection. Its pathetic to think we have to have additional security because of a madeup fake narrative around an election. Its unfortunate and necessary. An Opposition Candidate in ecuadors
Flames came dangerously close to his home, scorching nearly every building on his street. As of this hour hundreds are presumed missing bodies being pulled from the ocean after people had no choice but to jump in to escape the flames. Thousands are scrambling for safety. Max gordon is on the ground in maui. Max. You got it there. Its an Island Paradise that was turned into a hellscape the field behind Me Blackenned by the fire, the scent of smoke heavy in the air but good news this morning We Saw Rain Roll through. Much neededed needed for this scorched island. My gosh. Look at the harbor. Oh my gosh. Long time residents here shock at what they saw, people here in maui have dealt with so much loss because of these fires at least 36 people dead, its the deadliest u. S. Fire since the 2018 campfire. Officials here say the conditions have been dry and winds from passing Hurricane Dora fanned fires and caused them to spread quickly gusts up to 85 Miles Per Hour reported, grounding firefigh