Disasters

"Tropical Storm Erika formed  Monday night, the fifth named storm of the 2015 hurricane season. While Hurricane Danny struggled to maintain its intensity as it battled the hostile Atlantic environment, Tropical Storm Erika could prove to have more stamina, and is forecast to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane by the time it reaches the Bahamas this weekend."

"The warehouse in Tianjin that exploded on Aug. 12 was one of many buildings across China that store toxic chemicals near residential areas or major roads, in violation of safety regulations, according to a review of satellite imagery and public records."

"As of this week, the average of the group of forecast models used to predict the intensity of El Niño are  calling for an event that would surpass the record-strong El Niño of 1997-1998."

"'Conditions may exist that could result in a... release of large volumes of contaminated mine waters,' stated a 2014 EPA report on the inactive Gold King Mine, whose toxic waters befouled rivers in 3 states earlier this month."

Seasonal tropical cyclones were active across the globe. Danny peaked as a category 3 hurricane, then weakened to a tropical storm as it approached the Leeward Islands. Goni threatened major rains to the Hawaiian Islands. Goni left a trail of death and destructions in the Philippines.

"Newly released documents show that firefighters responding to an oil train derailment and fire last year in Lynchburg, Va., waited more than two hours for critical details about the train and what was on it."

"Four new fires have broken out at the site where two huge blasts last week killed 116 people, Chinese state media reported Friday soon after officials said safety hazards were found at almost 70 percent of firms handling dangerous chemicals in Beijing."

"U.S. crews battling a flurry of wildfires raging unchecked across the Pacific Northwest contended with high winds on Thursday, a day after three firefighters were killed and four others were injured in Washington state."

"The 585 earthquakes that Oklahoma had in 2014 was a lot. But this year, Oklahoma has had more than that in less than nine months."

"Three firefighters in Washington state were killed and four injured while battling a wildfire threatening the town of Twisp, officials said on Wednesday, as more than a dozen major blazes burned in parched Western U.S. states."