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Officials have confirmed that Hawaii’s emergency management records show no indication that the warning system was triggered before a devastating wildfire destroyed the historic town of Lahaina. Despite boasting the largest single outdoor all-hazard public safety warning system in the world, survivors claim they did not hear any sirens and only became aware of the danger when they saw flames or heard explosions nearby. The wildfire, fueled by dry conditions and strong winds, is the state’s deadliest natural disaster since a 1960 tsunami. The death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue. PA News Agency reported
Officials have confirmed that Hawaii emergency management records do not indicate that the warning system was activated before a devastating wildfire destroyed the historic town of Lahaina. Despite boasting the largest outdoor all-hazard public safety warning system in the world, with around 400 sirens placed across the island chain, many survivors in Lahaina reported not hearing any sirens and only becoming aware of the danger when they saw flames or heard explosions. This wildfire is the deadliest natural disaster in Hawaii since a tsunami in 1960. The emergency system, including the sirens, was established after a tsunami in 1946 that killed over 150 people on the Big Island. The system is regularly tested, but the records show no indication of the sirens being triggered on the day of the fire.
Survivors, such as 70-year-old Thomas Leonard, were caught off guard by the fire, as power and mobile phone service had already been cut, leaving them with no real-time information about the danger. Leonard only became aware of the fire when he smelled smoke and attempted to flee in his Jeep. However, he had to abandon the vehicle and seek refuge by the shore when nearby cars started exploding. He spent hours behind a sea wall, enduring hot ash and cinders blown by the wind. Eventually, firefighters arrived and escorted Leonard and other survivors to safety through the flames.
According to Adam Weintraub, a spokesperson for the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, the department’s records do not show that the warning sirens in Maui were activated. Instead, the county relied on emergency alerts sent to mobile phones, televisions, and radio stations. However, it is unclear if these alerts were sent before the widespread power and phone coverage outages occurred in Lahaina, cutting off most communication.
The wildfire, which started unexpectedly on Tuesday due to dry weather and strong winds from Hurricane Dora, quickly spread across the island, destroying homes and everything in its path. The death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue. Governor Josh Green has allowed Lahaina residents to return to the area to check on their properties, but the recovery process will be complex and dangerous.
The wildfire in Lahaina was not unforeseen, as Maui County’s hazard mitigation plan had identified the town and other communities in West Maui as high-risk areas for frequent wildfire ignitions and significant potential damage. The plan also highlighted challenges faced by the population, such as a high number of multi-unit housing, a significant rate of households without vehicles, and a large non-English speaking population, which could limit their ability to receive and respond quickly to emergency alerts.
Maui’s firefighting efforts were also hindered by limited resources. The small staff of firefighters, responsible for Maui, Molokai, and Lanai, consisted of a maximum of 65 individuals and had only on-road fire engines and ladder trucks. The department lacked off-road vehicles, making it difficult to combat brush fires before they reached populated areas. The high winds caused by Hurricane Dora further complicated firefighting efforts.
Mandatory evacuation orders were in place for Lahaina residents, while tourists were advised to shelter in place to allow emergency vehicles access to the area. However, downed power poles and communication failures added to the chaos. Power outages and spotty communication disrupted the island, with thousands of tourists leaving and assistance centers set up to aid those affected.
President Joe Biden declared a major disaster on Maui and pledged immediate assistance to those who lost loved ones or suffered property damage. Pope Francis also sent his condolences to the people of Hawaii, offering prayers for the victims, the injured, and those displaced by the wildfires..
