Freddy Tomas was working in his yard in Lahaina when the fire advanced with stunning speed right up to his fence. He rushed to save valuables from a safe inside his house but realized he didn't have time and fled, his face blackened with soot.
Days after fleeing in his pickup truck, amid smoke so thick he could only follow the red taillights of the vehicle in front of him and pray they were going the right way, the retired hotel worker from the Philippines returned to his destroyed home with his son to look for the safe. Tomas, 65, said it had contained passports, naturalization papers, other important documents and $35,000.
"More than 1,000 are unaccounted for, about 1,050. It will take several weeks still," Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said Sunday on the CBS News show "Face the Nation." Green added that "an army of search and rescue teams" with 41 dogs have covered 85% of the impacted area. The consulate said some 3,000 Mexican nationals are believed to be living on Maui, many working in pineapple fields, in hotels and restaurants, and other establishments with ties to tourism.
With businesses burned down, legions of those who survived are now jobless. Many are also without a place to live after the blaze also tore through housing of many people who worked at the town's hotels and resorts. And others are without a clear path forward. A document provided by FEMA says anyone affected by a major disaster may be eligible for disaster assistance, including noncitizens whose deportation status is being withheld for at least one year, as well as noncitizens granted asylum. That assistance can include crisis counselling, legal assistance, medical care, food and shelter, and other relief services.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Biden’s Disgraceful Handling of Hawaii Week at Legal InsurrectionAll the news you may have missed.
Read more »
Biden to Visit Hawaii in Stepped-Up Response to Disastrous FiresPresident Joe Biden aims to show the federal government is there for Maui residents when he visits the fire-stricken island on Monday amid criticism of his response to the historic disaster.
Read more »
Inside the White House response to the Maui wildfiresOn a Tuesday morning in August, a memo landed on President Joe Biden’s desk warning of the possibility of a storm hitting Hawaii.
Read more »
Biden to reassure Lahaina residents they will control rebuildingBy Jonathan Allen and Brendan O'Brien KIHEI, Hawaii (Reuters) - U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Deanne Criswell said on Sunday that ...
Read more »
Biden to reassure Lahaina residents they will control rebuildingBy Jonathan Allen and Brendan O'Brien KIHEI, Hawaii (Reuters) - U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Deanne Criswell said on Sunday that ...
Read more »
CHARLEBOIS: Climate change and its impact on Canadian eating habitsHeadlines are dominated by reports of wildfires in Maui, Hawaii, Yellowknife, and the raging fires in Kelowna.
Read more »