Author: WeatherPreppers

It is extremely rare for California to be hit with tropical storms or hurricanes — but it has happened before.

The death toll in the Maui wildfires reached at least 111 Wednesday.

Boat captain Chrissy Lovitt was at the marina in Lahaina when wildfires came rushing in. She tells CBS News’ Lilia Luciano her story of how she helped rescue people from the water and the harbor as the fire rapidly spread.

The head of the Maui Emergency Management Agency has resigned in the wake of criticism over his agency’s response amid wildfires, which killed at least 111 people. Maui County officials said Herman Andaya resigned “effective immediately” due to “health reasons.” CBS News’ Jonathan Vigliotti reports.

There are harrowing stories of rescues on the water in Hawaii, as an emergency official under scrutiny resigns, effective immediately. Also, officials prepare to roll out a new booster shot as COVID-19 cases rise across the country. All that and all that matters in today’s Eye Opener.

The storm, which isn’t expected to still be a hurricane by the time it reaches California, is forecast to bring heavy rain to the southwestern U.S.

Hurricane Hilary strengthened to a category 4 hurricane Thursday night, the National Weather Service said.

When asked Wednesday by reporters if he regretted not activating warning sirens when the wildfires broke out Aug. 8, Herman Andaya responded, “I do not.”

Hawaii officials say three wildfires have destroyed more than 3,000 acres on the island of Maui. Some residents say they’ve been receiving calls from wealthy real estate investors and developers who are trying to purchase their fire-ravaged land. But as CBS News correspondent Lilia Luciano reports — Maui is not for sale.

A rare hurricane in the Pacific could hit California in the coming days. Hurricane Hilary is currently churning a few hundred miles off Mexico’s coast. CBS News senior weather and climate producer David Parkinson breaks down the storm’s predicted path.

Hawaii’s attorney general on Thursday said there will be a third-party review of how state and county agencies handled the Maui wildfires. CBS News national correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti has the latest from Lahaina.

A wildfire that broke out in Canada’s Northwest Territories has forced the evacuation of about 20,000 people from the city of Yellowknife.

The storm is set to impact the southwestern U.S. with heavy rainfall starting Friday through early next week, “peaking on Sunday and Monday,” according to the National Hurricane Center​.

The Great Galveston Hurricane is known as the deadliest weather disaster in United States history, killing at least 8,000 people, with some estimates as high as 12,000 people.