Biden, Harris not going to Maui because they ‘don’t want to distract’ from relief efforts

President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris is not going to journey to Maui within the aftermath of the devastating wildfires as a result of they “don’t wish to distract” from the continuing rescue efforts, the VP mentioned immediately – whereas no less than 1,000 folks stay unaccounted for.

“We don’t wish to distract from the sources that must go in to the victims of this tragedy, and naturally the wants of the primary responders have to have the ability to deal with that problem and never fear about specializing in us [because] we’re there,” Harris instructed reporters earlier than boarding Air Pressure Two for Chicago Friday, CSPAN reported.

“We’re coordinating federal sources to swiftly get there to assist the work by way of restoration, however to only assist the oldsters on the bottom. It’s tragic,” Harris famous, including that she and Biden are “deeply involved” in regards to the blaze that has left no less than 55 folks useless and decimated a beloved historic enclave.

Biden issued a federal catastrophe declaration for the islands on Thursday, CNN said.

The federal authorities additionally launched meals and water to assist 5,000 folks for 5 days, the outlet confirmed on Friday.

Search and rescue efforts are nonetheless underway, as officers estimate that no less than 1,000 folks stay lacking, KTVU FOX 2 reported.

Talking to the TODAY Present on Friday morning, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen mentioned the variety of deceased victims will seemingly improve, as the present toll solely accounts for these discovered exterior of buildings.

Authorities are ready for FEMA to proceed scouring burned-out buildings, he mentioned.

Along with the lacking and deceased, 1000’s of individuals are actually displaced after being pressured to flee their houses as they have been engulfed in flames.

A number of harrowing movies show people – including families with small children in tow – scrambling into the ocean whereas ash and particles rains on them.

Rescue and aid efforts are hampered by widespread energy and communication outages.

“We as a neighborhood nonprofit usually are not capable of even entry something west of Maalaea. West Maui is totally lower off from communication and energy,” Lauren Henrie, a communications marketing consultant for Maui Rescue Mission, told CNN.

“We’re taking a look at years, years of restoration right here,” she added.

Whereas Biden and Harris shied away from visiting the scene of the devastation, Oprah Winfrey has already been spotted volunteering at a relief shelter.

The media mogul, who’s part-time Maui resident, donated provides and chatted with displaced residents on the Conflict Memorial Stadium in Wailuku Thursday.