Orange County in California is facing a crisis as a hazardous chemical leak has prompted the emergency evacuation of approximately 40,000 people. The situation at the site, as of Saturday morning, is deemed alarming with the liquid temperature higher than anticipated. The Governor has declared a state of emergency.
According to Craig Covey, the Fire Chief of Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) and the Joint Incident Commander, the internal temperature of the storage tank has risen to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (about 32.2 degrees Celsius) as reported in the latest briefing on Saturday. This represents a rapid increase of approximately 1 degree per hour since the evacuation when it was only 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
Authorities warn that the tank, with a total capacity of 34,000 gallons, contains around 7,000 gallons of Methyl Methacrylate (MMA), a highly toxic and flammable liquid chemical. With the tank remaining uncontrollable, the worst-case scenarios include either a rupture leading to the leak of thousands of gallons of chemicals or triggering a catastrophic explosion that could impact surrounding tanks.
Governor Newsom announced on Saturday morning that Orange County is in a state of emergency, and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and all state government agencies are providing full support to address this significant incident.
The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday at a tank in GKN Aerospace company in Garden Grove, Orange County, where the tank malfunctioned, overheated severely, and began releasing vapor into the air. The facility is approximately a 10-minute drive from Disneyland.
Covey mentioned that a faulty valve on the tank has prevented them from accessing the site, unloading the materials from the tank, or injecting neutralizing agents into the chemicals.
Following the incident, emergency evacuation orders were issued for approximately 40,000 residents in the surrounding areas. The evacuation zone centered around the tank facility and extended to parts of Cypress, Stanton, Anaheim, Buena Park, and Westminster.
On Thursday evening, rescue personnel reported progress in cooling the tank by continuously spraying water, leading to a temporary lift of the evacuation order. However, Covey revealed on Saturday that he received an urgent update indicating a severe deterioration in the tank’s condition. As of the deadline, the mandatory evacuation orders remain strictly enforced.
The unforeseen accident has also led to the closure of several schools, road shutdowns, and the cancellation of regional events in the area. However, major theme parks nearby are currently operating as usual.
In response to the situation, emergency responders have established containment barriers around the site to prevent potential liquid runoff from entering storm drains, waterways, or the ocean.
Given the escalating situation, Covey mentioned that OCFA shifted from a defensive to an offensive mode on Friday night, deploying personnel to “enter the danger zone” and attempt to “neutralize” another tank with a capacity of 15,000 gallons to eliminate its explosion risk and prevent a chain reaction if the leaking tank were to explode.
Covey stated that the emergency team is working to reduce the tank’s solidification reaction rate to alleviate the excessive pressure buildup inside. Despite the grim circumstances, authorities have devised an emergency response plan, and the only ones at risk are the firefighters and law enforcement personnel at the scene.
“We will do everything possible to minimize the impact of this incident and ensure everyone can safely return home as soon as possible,” Covey said.
In terms of public health, Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, a health official in Orange County, mentioned that Methyl Methacrylate being heavier than air might have a fruity odor. Exposure to its vapors can cause severe respiratory irritation, dizziness, nausea, as well as itching or burning sensation in the eyes.
Fortunately, as of Saturday afternoon, the air quality readings have remained within safe and healthy levels, with no reports of casualties as of now.
GKN Aerospace company issued a statement on their website on Saturday, expressing deep regret for the significant impact on local residents and businesses due to the forced evacuations. They are collaborating tirelessly with various experts to resolve this crisis in the safest and most timely manner.
At present, the public can access emergency directives issued by the city’s emergency management department on the city’s official website (https://ggcity.org/emergency) and seek rescue assistance.