California Gov. Gavin Newsom said on May 24 that he submitted a request to the federal government to issue a federal emergency declaration to support response efforts to a compromised chemical tank that officials warned may explode. The incident has led to evacuations in Orange County.
"California doesn’t wait for disaster to unfold; we act early to protect lives and communities. Working together with our local and federal partners, we’re strengthening our ability to respond quickly and effectively in Garden Grove and across the surrounding communities and ensuring that first responders have the resources they need to keep people safe," Newsom said in a statement on Sunday evening.
A news release issued by Newsom's office said the state wants President Donald Trump to declare an emergency and direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help with costs related to evacuations, medical support, sheltering, and other operations.
"Because California requested this Emergency Declaration early, federal support can flow in while the incident is still unfolding, strengthening the proactive posture that state and local teams have already taken in Orange County, rather than waiting until the full extent of the damage is known," the release said.
Officials said on May 24 that the damaged chemical tank in Garden Grove, about 26 miles southeast of Los Angeles, has a crack, potentially lowering the risk of a cataclysmic explosion. However, an evacuation order remains in effect for some 50,000 area residents with no timeline on when they can return.
Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Wayhowe Huang said that fire officials were able to evaluate the tank more closely overnight and had discovered the crack.
He said earlier on Sunday that it didn't appear that any of the highly volatile chemicals had leaked.
“There’s still the danger of a possible explosion,” Huang said.
The facility is owned by GKN Aerospace, a British-based multinational corporation.
Evacuation orders over the tank, which contains methyl methacrylate, were issued on May 22 for tens of thousands of people due to the risk of an explosion or chemical leak.
Garden Grove is near Anaheim, which is home to Disneyland’s two theme parks, which were not under evacuation orders. Park officials said they were monitoring the incident and supporting employees impacted by evacuations.
"That’s the reason why you see such a big evacuation that’s been done in the surrounding areas.”
He stressed that officials will most likely release the chemical.
The chemical is also considered highly flammable and an explosion hazard, authorities say.
The White House did not immediately respond to an Epoch Times request for comment on May 25.