The following is excerpted from the Church News. To read the full article, CLICK HERE.
Cover image: Screenshot via 11Alive YouTube channel.
Raging brush fires fueled by hurricane-force winds are devastating the state of Hawaii — with at least 36 people killed on the island of Maui and more than 11,000 people evacuated, according to news reports.
Much of the town of Lahaina has been destroyed, and hundreds of families have been displaced. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are among those affected by the fires and resulting evacuations.
All missionaries are safe and accounted for on Maui and the other islands, but more than 500 Church members have evacuated as of Thursday morning, said Elder Mark A. Bragg, General Authority Seventy and president of the Church’s North America West Area.
Elder Bragg said stake centers on the island are being used as shelters for the community — with the Kahului Hawaii West Stake Center currently housing hundreds of people. Others are staying with family or friends farther away from the fires or at other evacuation sites.
While the fires have damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes, the Church’s chapels in Lahaina appear to be undamaged.
To read the full article, CLICK HERE.