Thousands of people in Garden Grove remain under evacuation orders due to an ongoing chemical tank crisis. Although authorities have eliminated the possibility of a devastating explosion, families are preparing to spend a fourth night away from home.
An Elks Lodge spokesperson told NBC4 the facility is at capacity with 120 families, while many evacuees remain uncertain about how long they will be displaced.
Yeyrah Cazales showed where her family slept, saying the Elks Lodge in Garden Grove has become their temporary home.
“Sometimes it was exhausting in the beginning, but that’s okay because we got a shelter and we don’t have to worry about where we’re going to have to stay,” said Cazales.
She said her family has been at the Elks Lodge since Sunday morning.
“We were actually very happy since we were already tired and hungry,” said Cazales.
After being evacuated from their home on Friday due to the chemical tank crisis, Cazales said her family first spent a night in a hotel and then went to one of the Red Cross shelters.
“I think it’s been really hard, especially because there are a lot of us, so we have to find a way we can split up so we can find a place to stay,” said Cazales.
Cazales’ family is among more than 100 people staying at the Elks Lodge, which offers RV parking and camping space.
Elks Lodge Club Manager Jackie Page said the facility is providing showers, food and laundry service, as well as medical care for evacuees.
“We also have medical here, Moonwalk, via the Red Cross. They’re here assisting in a medical capacity solely. So we have three doctors on site,” said Page. “Right now, we have about four to five RV spots available, one of them with hookups.”
Evacuee Rose Mary Cisneros told NBC4 on Sunday she has been staying with her family since Friday.
“For us, it’s unsettling because you don’t know if tomorrow they are going to say, ‘Oh yeah, it’s lifted,’ but then you can’t go to your house because they did say this morning, ‘Please do not try to come back at all,’” said Cisneros.
Linda Wilson said she offered her sleeping space inside to a family of six children.
“We can sleep in the car. We can sleep anywhere, but a family of six kids. They just kept crying, ‘we wanna go home, we wanna go home.’ At least give them the comfort of blankets and new sheets and some blow-up mattresses,” said Wilson.
As thousands of people wait to see when they will be able to return home, evacuees say the situation remains uncertain and they are taking it day by day.
Rose Mary Cisneros said, “we are thinking we will be here until Friday,” Thousands of people in Garden Grove remain under evacuation orders due to an ongoing chemical tank crisis. Although authorities have eliminated the possibility of a devastating explosion, families are preparing to spend a fourth night away from home.
An Elks Lodge spokesperson told NBC4 the facility is at capacity with 120 families, while many evacuees remain uncertain about how long they will be displaced.
Yeyrah Cazales showed where her family slept, saying the Elks Lodge in Garden Grove has become their temporary home.
“Sometimes it was exhausting in the beginning, but that’s okay because we got a shelter and we don’t have to worry about where we’re going to have to stay,” said Cazales.
She said her family has been at the Elks Lodge since Sunday morning.
“We were actually very happy since we were already tired and hungry,” said Cazales.
After being evacuated from their home on Friday due to the chemical tank crisis, Cazales said her family first spent a night in a hotel and then went to one of the Red Cross shelters.
“I think it’s been really hard, especially because there are a lot of us, so we have to find a way we can split up so we can find a place to stay,” said Cazales.
Cazales’ family is among more than 100 people staying at the Elks Lodge, which offers RV parking and camping space.
Elks Lodge Club Manager Jackie Page said the facility is providing showers, food and laundry service, as well as medical care for evacuees.
“We also have medical here, Moonwalk, via the Red Cross. They’re here assisting in a medical capacity solely. So we have three doctors on site,” said Page. “Right now, we have about four to five RV spots available, one of them with hookups.”
Evacuee Rose Mary Cisneros told NBC4 on Sunday she has been staying with her family since Friday.
“For us, it’s unsettling because you don’t know if tomorrow they are going to say, ‘Oh yeah, it’s lifted,’ but then you can’t go to your house because they did say this morning, ‘Please do not try to come back at all,’” said Cisneros.
Linda Wilson said she offered her sleeping space inside to a family of six children.
“We can sleep in the car. We can sleep anywhere, but a family of six kids. They just kept crying, ‘we wanna go home, we wanna go home.’ At least give them the comfort of blankets and new sheets and some blow-up mattresses,” said Wilson.
As thousands of people wait to see when they will be able to return home, evacuees say the situation remains uncertain and they are taking it day by day.
Rose Mary Cisneros said, “we are thinking we will be here until Friday…”
“We are thankful to God and to the people that are here and Garden Grove Elks that are providing us with space,” added Cazales.