RESIDENTS in Maui were expecting rain and floods after they were told to prepare for a passing hurricane.
But instead they were surprised with deadly blazes that forced some people to jump into the ocean after the popular tourist spot transformed into a raging inferno in a matter of hours.
The wildfires fueled by Hurricane Dora forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes with five evacuation shelters opened to evacuate them.
Hospitals in Maui has been overwhelmed with patients being treated with burns and people suffering from smoke inhalation.
A state of emergency has been declared.
Firefighters are still battling active fires while a huge search and rescue operation is under way.
There were three active wildfires burning in the Big Island including one that destroyed the historic town of Lahaina to the ground.
At least 4,000 tourists were still trying to leave western Maui, according to the Hawaii Department of Transportation.
Officials have warned the death toll may rise while the true extent of the damage caused the wildfire is still unknown.
