As high winds stoked fast-moving wildfires on Maui, no outdoor warning sirens were triggered by emergency agencies. Residents had to rely on alerts sent to mobile devices, to local radio and TV, and via an opt-in resident notification system.
But the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency said it has no record of any warning sirens with Maui's Emergency Alert System being triggered on Tuesday, department spokesperson Adam Weintraub said. The system, which includes 80 sirens across Maui, is intended to prod people to seek more specific emergency information through forms of communication, such as online or television or radio broadcasts.
Weintraub said the agency may have decided to maximize its resources and firefighting assets in other urgent ways to protect lives and property. "It's too early for me to tell," Green said when asked whether the siren system wasn't employed because of human decision or equipment failure. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, said Thursday that the National Guard had activated 134 members from the Army and Air National Guards to assist in Hawaii. The Guard also provided two Chinook helicopters for response operations and search and rescue efforts.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Warning sirens weren't activated, agency saysWarning sirens were not activated during Maui's deadly wildfires, the Hawaii Emergency Services Administration says. “Neither Maui nor HI-EMA activated warning sirens on Maui during the wildfire incident,' the agency says, but three alert systems were.
Read more »
Maui wildfires live updates: Chaos at Maui's main airport as hundreds try to leavePres. Biden approves Hawaiian disaster declaration to help provide federal aid and assist with evacuation efforts amid deadly wildfires. 'Our prayers are with the people of Hawaii, but not just our prayers. Every asset we have will be available to them.'
Read more »
At least 6 people dead in Hawaii wildfires, Maui mayor saysEvacuations are underway across Hawaii's Big Island and Maui as winds associated with Hurricane Dora are fanning wildfires. Follow the latest news here.
Read more »
At least 6 killed on Hawaii's Maui island as fires force people to flee flamesWind-whipped wildfires raced through the Hawaiian island of Maui, forcing evacuations and leading some to flee to the relative safety of the ocean. At least six people were killed on the Hawaiian island of Maui as wind-fueled wildfires tore through the area, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen announced. The blazes drove people to jump into the ocean to escape flames and smoke and forced people to evacuate Wednesday, authorities said.
Read more »
Maui mayor says 6 people are dead in devastating Hawaii wildfiresWildfires are racing across part of Maui in Hawaii, destroying sections of a historic town on the island and forcing some to flee to the relative safety of the ocean, where the Coast Guard rescued them. Six people have died.
Read more »