As brushfires swept rapidly across Maui, the state emergency siren system did not blow, a failure of an alert system that left scores of people trapped as flames spread, NBC News reports. Warnings were made via traditional radio and television alert systems as well as a text message system, although some cell phone signals may have been disrupted due to the fire damaging towers. The sirens are the same ones used for tsunami warnings, alerting residents to check television, radio or online for emergency notifications.
Officials also announced that the official death toll has risen to 67, with authorities saying more fatalities are expected when teams can access areas cut off by the fire, which is still burning uncontrolled.