In a series of interviews on Sunday, Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanna Criswell gave a frank assessment of the damage caused by wildfires on Maui, the deadliest wildfire in the U.S. in over a century.
At least 114 people have been confirmed dead, officials said Saturday. Criswell said emergency responders have searched 78% of the area in Lahaina, a town almost entirely destroyed by the fires.
“He’s going to be able to see what I saw when I went to Maui last week and just really experienced the complete and utter devastation that this town had experienced,” Criswell said on ABC News’ “This Week” on Sunday. “But he’s also going to be able to talk with people and hear their stories and provide a sense of hope and assurance that the federal government is going to be with them.”
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President Joe Biden is “going to be able to see what I saw when I went to Maui last week and just really experienced the complete and utter devastation that this town had experienced,” FEMA Administrator Deanna Criswell said on ABC News’ “This Week” on Sunday
The number one priority for the federal agencies assisting with recovery efforts on the ground is registering survivors and helping them get temporary housing in hotels, motels, and short-term home rentals, Criswell said
Tracking people down has been a challenge, she added, because many are staying with relatives or friends and are not at congregate shelters set up by authorities
“We do have extreme concerns that because of the temperature of the fire, the remains of those who have died in some cases may be impossible to recover meaningfully,” Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said. “There are going to be people who are lost forever”
At least 114 people have been confirmed dead, officials said Saturday. Criswell said emergency responders have searched 78% of the area in Lahaina, a town almost entirely destroyed by the fires.
