California residents remain worried after evacuations due to chemical leak
Damaged chemical tanks forced evacuations in a California neighborhood, leaving residents worried as authorities try to prevent disaster.
A chemical tank believed to be in danger of exploding in California has stabilized, eliminating what authorities believed could have been a “worst-case catastrophic event,” local fire officials announced on May 25.
“The (explosion) threat is now off the table,” Orange County Fire Department Interim Fire Chief TJ McGovern said in a video address. “That threat has been eliminated.”
About 40,000 people were ordered to evacuate the city of Garden Grove, south of Los Angeles, on May 21 after tanks storing toxic industrial chemicals overheated and began emitting steam. Initial efforts to secure the tank were unsuccessful, with authorities warning the container could “explode” and expanding the evacuation zone.
On May 24, McGovern announced that cracks were found in a tank holding 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate, a toxic and flammable liquid used in manufacturing. Crews then conducted tests overnight and found that pressure levels and temperatures were stable, officials said.
Mr McGovern added that although there was no longer any danger of an explosion, the evacuation zone was “still in effect”.
Pamela and Grace Johnson arrived at a Huntington Beach shelter late May 23 after evacuation orders were issued for their Orange County neighborhood. The two said they scrambled to find a place to stay as public evacuation centers filled up with evacuees.
“I don’t think I was ready,” Pamela Johnson told the USA TODAY Network’s Desert Sun, adding that she was on the phone for three hours trying to get information on where to go.
“We were happy to get somewhere and sleep,” she said. “I feel like we haven’t slept in four days.”
State of emergency declared due to crack in chemical tank, lawsuit filed
Emergency responders were first dispatched to the GKN Aerospace manufacturing facility on May 21 after a methyl methacrylate vapor release was reported.
A broken valve prevented authorities from stabilizing the tank, forcing emergency officials to issue multiple evacuation orders. City officials across Southern California opened emergency shelters for residents affected by the incident.
Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Orange County over the weekend and said he had asked President Donald Trump to issue one.
A proposed class action lawsuit has been filed against UK-based GKN Aerospace. The company apologized and said its employees were “fully focused” on working with emergency services to resolve the situation.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office said it has set up an anonymous tip line and online reporting form to collect information about the incident. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin said the agency is involved in the emergency response.
According to the EPA, methyl methacrylate is a volatile, flammable liquid commonly used in the production of resins and plastics. California health officials said no exposure to the product is expected as long as evacuation orders are followed.
Contributors: Dinah Voyles Pulver, Daniella Segura, Paris Barraza, Kate Franco, Kristin Scharkey, USA TODAY and USA TODAY Network.
Christopher Cann is a national news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact him at ccann@usatoday.com or follow him at X @Chris__Cann.
