The Thanh Hóa Meteorological and Hydrological Center warned on 15 September that 12 communes – Phú Lệ, Cẩm Thạch, Vạn Xuân, Thắng Lộc, Tân Thành, Xuân Bình, Hóa Quỳ, Mậu Lâm, Yên Thọ, Thanh Kỳ, Công Chính and Trường Lâm – face a "very high" risk of landslides after days of continuous rain that saturated the soil. More than 50 additional communes in the province are under a high‑risk alert.
River gauges show rising water levels across most basins; the upper reaches of the Mã, Chu and Bưởi rivers could reach alert levels 1‑2, while smaller streams such as the Yên, Âm and Cầu Chày may climb to alerts 2‑3. By 07:00 on 15 September the Yên River had already exceeded alert level 1, with forecasts predicting level 2 by 10:00. In response, the provincial civil defence command ordered the chairpersons of 12 communes – including Nông Cống, Thăng Bình and Quảng Ngọc – to prepare evacuations as the Yên River continues to rise.
In Nghi Sơn district
In Nghi Sơn district, two hillside houses in the Nam Sơn area collapsed and tilted during the downpour, threatening the row of homes below. Local officials immediately evacuated the two affected families and 12 neighboring households, relocating a total of 60 people. The site was cordoned off with warning ropes and a guard detail, although rescue efforts were hampered by a narrow, single‑lane access road.
The prolonged rain, which began on the night of 13 September, has also caused localized flooding, overtopped dams in mountainous communes, and disrupted transport routes, isolating several villages. Authorities forecast further heavy to very heavy rain through 17 September, urging residents to stay alert and comply with evacuation orders.