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LAHAINA, Hawaii — Hawaii's governor warned that scores more people could be found dead following the Maui wildfires as search crews go street by street through neighborhoods where the flames galloped as fast as a mile a minute across the landscape.
The blazes that consumed most of the historic town of Lahaina, are already the deadliest in the U.S. in more than a century, with a death toll of at least 96.
"We are prepared for many tragic stories," Gov. Josh Green told "CBS Mornings" in a recorded interview that was aired Monday. "They will find 10 to 20 people per day, probably, until they finish. And it's probably going to take 10 days. It's impossible to guess, really."
As cellphone service has slowly been restored, the number of people missing dropped to about 1,300 from over 2,000, Green said.
Twenty cadaver dogs and dozens of searchers are making their way through blocks reduced to ash.
"Right now, they're going street by street, block by block between cars, and soon they'll start to enter buildings," Jeff Hickman, director of public affairs for the Hawaii Department of Defense, said Monday on NBC's "Today."
The blaze that swept into centuries-old Lahaina nearly a week ago destroyed nearly every building in the town of 13,000, leaving a grid of gray rubble wedged between the blue ocean and lush green slopes. That fire has been 85% contained, according to the county. Another blaze known as the Upcountry fire has been 60% contained, officials said.
"There's very little left there," Green said of Lahaina in a video update Sunday, adding that "an estimated value of $5.6 billion has gone away."
Even where the fire has retreated, authorities have warned that toxic byproducts may remain, including in drinking water, after the flames spewed poisonous fumes. And many people simply have no home to return to. Authorities plan to house them in hotels and vacation rentals.
Many people have gathered at the War Memorial Gymnasium in Wailuku, which has been serving as a shelter. Among the visitors was Oprah Winfrey, who told Hawaii News Now that she has delivered personal hygiene products, towels and water in recent days.
Winfrey, a part-time Maui resident, warned that news crews will eventually depart from the destruction, and the world will move on. But she said that "we're all still going to be here trying to figure out what is the best way to rebuild … I will be here for the long haul, doing what I can."
The cause of the wildfires is under investigation, and Green said authorities would also examine their response. One fire, for instance, was thought to be out but later flared again. Before the blaze engulfed Lahaina, Maui County officials also failed to activate sirens that would have warned the entire population and instead relied on social media posts.
CNN reports Hawaiian Electric's stock tumbled to a 13-year low Monday morning, plummeting nearly 40% after a class action lawsuit filed over the weekend alleged that the wildfires were caused by the utility's energized power lines that were knocked down by strong winds. Company vice president Jim Kelly told CNN Sunday via email that, "as has always been our policy, we don't comment on pending litigation."
Many gathered Sunday to mourn the dead. Maria Lanakila Church in Lahaina was spared from the flames that wiped out most of the surrounding community, but with search-and-recovery efforts ongoing, its members attended Mass up the road. The Bishop of Honolulu, the Rev. Clarence "Larry" Silva, presided.
Taufa Samisoni said his uncle, aunt, cousin and the cousin's 7-year-old son were found dead inside a burned car. Samisoni's wife, Katalina, said the family would draw comfort from Silva's reference to the Bible story of how Jesus' disciple Peter walked on water and was saved from drowning.
"If Peter can walk on water, yes we can. We will get to the shore," she said, her voice quivering.
Meanwhile, Hawaii officials urged tourists to avoid traveling to Maui as many hotels prepared to house evacuees and first responders.
Green said 500 hotels rooms will be made available for locals who have been displaced. An additional 500 rooms will be set aside for workers from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Some hotels will carry on with normal business to help preserve jobs and sustain the local economy, Green said.
The state wants to work with Airbnb to make sure that rental homes can be made available for locals.
