Orced Evacuations News Today

Brazilian petrochemical producer Braskem is facing a new 1 billion real ($203 million) lawsuit over damages that its salt mines have caused sinking ground in the city of Maceio and forced evacuations, the company said on Thursday. The lawsuit, which state and federal prosecutors filed against the company and the city, seeks an expanded risk area related to ground subsidence and requiring Braskem to compensate more families. The announcement comes after Maceio's civil defense office warned...

Hawaii declared a state of emergency Tuesday over hurricane-driven wildfires that have burned down buildings and forced evacuations in recent days. Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke (D) — serving as acting governor — issued the emergency proclamation due to the effects of Hurricane Dora, which is “churning far south of the islands.” The wildfires are burning…

“The devastation and flooding we’re experiencing across Vermont is historic and catastrophic,” said Gov. Phil Scott in a press release Tuesday. “Flood waters continue to rise in some places like our capital city and have surpassed levels seen during Tropical Storm Irene.” All 14 counties in the state were under a disaster declaration as of Tuesday, Scott said.

The Ramona fire has grown to 328 acres and was 20% contained as of Monday night. No injuries have been reported, and no structures have been damaged.

An estimated 580 homes, a hotel and a shopping center have burned and tens of thousands of people were evacuated in wind-fueled wildfires outside Denver, officials said Thursday evening.