Biden approves disaster declaration for Hawaii after devastating wildfires

WASHINGTON -- US President Joe Biden on Thursday approved a major disaster declaration for Hawaii in the wake of the devastating hurricane-driven wildfires that have killed at least 36 people and damaged or destroyed hundreds of structures on Hawaii's Maui Island.

Biden ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires beginning on Tuesday and continuing, said the White House in a press release, adding that the action will make federal funding available to affected individuals in Maui County.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster, according to the press release.

"As the firefighting efforts continue, 36 total fatalities have been discovered today amid the active Lahaina fire," Maui County wrote in a statement posted on the county website Wednesday evening.

Officials also said that at least 271 structures were damaged or destroyed by the flames.

Strong winds from Hurricane Dora were to blame for the deadly wildfires, leaving parts of Lahaina, a tourist spot, destroyed.

The death toll from the disaster could rise as the fires are still burning and rescue teams are searching charred areas, local officials were quoted as saying on Thursday.

"Tragedy that hits one of us is felt by all of us," said Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen in a video statement on Wednesday night.

"These past few days, the resolve of our families, businesses and visitors have been tested like never before in our lifetime," he noted.

Hawaii Governor Josh Green said in a statement Thursday morning that "this is a tragic day for everyone in Hawaii and the nation."

"Our hearts go out to the families of the victims and the survivors suffering through the deadliest natural disaster the state has seen in generations," he added.

The state has issued a third emergency proclamation relating to the ongoing wildfire disaster. The latest proclamation extends the emergency period through Aug 31.

The US Federal Emergency Management Agency on Wednesday approved Hawaii's request for a disaster declaration to provide assistance with the wind-whipped wildfires burning in Kula, Kihei and Lahaina on Maui. The agency said the fires had burned more than 2,000 acres of land at the time the request was made and had not been fully contained.

Around 11,000 customers on Maui were without power as of Thursday morning, according to PowerOutage.us.

Hawaii Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen told media that more than 11,000 passengers left Maui on Wednesday and another 1,500 are expected to fly out of the island on Thursday. Maui County officials said that a mass bus evacuation for residents and visitors in West Maui would resume on Thursday morning.