FEMA admin: Maui remains search 78% done.

FEMA ‌Administrator: Search for Missing in Hawaii Wildfires 78% ​Complete

Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Deanne Criswell ‍announced that the search for those missing in the devastating wildfires in Hawaii is now 78% complete. The current ⁤death⁣ toll stands at 114, with hundreds still ​unaccounted for. Criswell assured the public that every part of ⁣the burned area⁢ is being meticulously ⁣examined to⁢ identify any⁤ remains, as she stated during an appearance on CNN.

“The report that I got last night is that we are 78%​ complete with the search, ⁣and our teams are continuing to go through, through ‍the day, to go through every part of it and help identify anybody that might still​ be missing,” Criswell‌ said. “And we’ve‍ brought in additional teams.⁢ The ‍FBI is on scene, the Department of ⁤Defense, along ⁣with HHS, to help identify and also reunify people that may be in shelters, may have gone somewhere else, making sure that we can work together to identify who is still unaccounted for, where people and as⁢ we continue to identify those that unfortunately have⁢ been lost by this tragic event,⁣ you know, making sure that we link up all of⁣ that‌ information.”

Criswell will be accompanied by President Joe Biden ‌on a⁢ visit to Hawaii on Monday, where‍ they will meet with⁣ first responders and survivors. Responding to criticism from Republicans regarding the⁢ president’s​ delayed response,​ Criswell explained that she had⁢ been in constant communication with Biden and ⁢had ⁢been directed by him to⁢ assist local officials in Maui.

“I was in complete communication with him throughout this event, helping him understand what I was seeing and what resources⁣ needed to come in,” Criswell ⁢said. “And he directed me to make sure that ⁣we are⁣ doing⁤ everything we​ can to help the people of Maui, and​ to bring in all of‍ the federal resources to help with this immediate response, ⁢but also to begin thinking about what this‌ long-term recovery and rebuilding is going to look like.”

Prior to their visit,⁣ President Biden expressed his and first lady Jill Biden’s support for the people of Hawaii, stating ⁢that their “thoughts and prayers” are ⁤with them. The​ first lady will accompany the⁣ president on his visit.

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“But not just our prayers,” Biden said Tuesday. “Every asset — every⁣ asset they need will be there for them. And we be — we’ll be there in Maui as long ​as it takes, as long⁢ as⁣ it takes. And I meant that sincerely.”

Despite the devastation, Governor Josh Green (D) expressed optimism about Maui’s ⁣recovery, assuring that Lahaina, an area in Maui County, ⁢”will rise again” in the aftermath of these wildfires.