Maui wildfires updates: President Biden, first lady get firsthand look at damage

At the road block to Lahaina, dozens of residents who have slept in their cars are parked along the street waiting for the opportunity to check on their homes and neighbors. Right now, officials are only allowing emergency response crews to pass the blockade.

Lahaina resident Al Crisostomo told ABC News through tears about his escape from the flames days ago.

“It was a huge black smoke and it’s indescribable, it’s like apocalyptic," he said.

Crisostomo said he fears his home is gone, among the hundreds decimated.

Since the early morning, dozens of emergency resources have passed through the blockade. Multiple Hawaiian Electric trucks are en route to restore power, and several truck loads of food have also gone through.

-ABC News' Melissa Adan

The wildfire that has caused significant damage in Lahaina is reported to be 80% contained, Maui County officials said.

Among the other two active fires in Maui, the Pulehu fire, in an area of Kīhei, is reported to be 70% contained, officials said.

There is no update at this time on the Upcountry fire, in the areas of Olinda and Upper Kula, officials said.

Amid the disaster, Lahaina remains without power.

Some 1,400 people stayed at Kahului Airport overnight Wednesday while waiting to evacuate, the county said.

The deadly wildfires on Maui have forced thousands of local residents and visitors to evacuate the area in search of shelter, food, water and other basic resources.

To learn more about the relief efforts underway and organizations accepting donations, from the newly created Maui Strong Fund to local food banks, read here.

-ABC News' Kelly McCarthy

Three buses with 168 tourists just arrived at the packed Kahului Airport in Maui. Passengers told ABC News that they have not had power or cell service for two days. Some said they had no idea how bad these fires were until half an hour ago when they first got cell phone service back and were able to see the extent of the devastation.

Some don’t have plane reservations, while others have tickets for the weekend. They said the resorts told them they had to leave and to get on the buses, so they did without much of a plan and little information.

-ABC News' Will Carr and Timmy Truong