A team of Orange County Fire Authority firefighters will conduct an overnight mission Sunday evening to assess whether a crack spotted on a 7,000-gallon tank filled with a flammable and toxic chemical at a Garden Grove plant is actually helping to reduce the chance of an explosion.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are conducting an all-night mission in order to confirm the pressure in the tank has been released and that the BLEVE threat has been eliminated,\u201d Interim OCFA Fire Chief TJ McGovern told reporters Sunday night.<\/p>\n
BLEVE is an acronym for Boiling-Liquid-Expanding-Vapor Explosion, according to the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe BLEVE threat is the worst-case catastrophic event that we\u2019ve been talking about,\u201d McGovern said. \u201cWe are not there yet. We need to run this operation tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is one known crack on the tank,\u201d the OCFA reported on X at 9:35 p.m. Sunday. \u201cThere is also peeling of the weather stripping on the exterior, but this is not an additional crack. There is currently no active leak.\u201d<\/p>\n
McGovern asked the public to stay out of the evacuation zone.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Gov. Gavin Newsom\u2019s Office announced that nearly 800 state and local first responders and emergency personnel were supporting public safety, evacuations, traffic management, sheltering operations, environmental monitoring and community assistance efforts.<\/p>\n
\u201cCalifornia is mobilizing every available resource to protect impacted communities and support local response efforts. We are working hand-in-hand with local officials and emergency personnel to keep people safe, support evacuations and sheltering operations, monitor environmental conditions and ensure communities receive timely and accurate information,\u201d a statement the governor\u2019s office read.<\/p>\n
Newsom activated the State Operations Center on Friday and \u201cdirected state agencies to coordinate proactively and rapidly with local officials to ensure a unified response. Highly trained emergency experts \u2014 including three specialized hazmat teams \u2014 continue working 24\/7 to monitor conditions, support evacuations and protect public health and safety.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Saturday, Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency. The proclamation directs the California Governor\u2019s Office of Emergency Services and all state government agencies to support Orange County and impacted local jurisdictions to address the emergency. It also unlocks additional emergency response resources and authorities, including making state-owned properties and fairgrounds available to provide shelter for evacuated residents as necessary.<\/p>\n
Newsom also asked President Donald Trump to issue a federal emergency declaration, and Rep. Derek Tran, D-Westminster, and California Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff also sent a letter to Trump on Sunday urging approval of the request.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe severity of this disaster requires additional coordination and federal support. Therefore, we urge you to expeditiously approve California\u2019s request for an Emergency Declaration and to provide emergency protective measures and direct federal assistance under the public assistance program for Orange County,\u201d they wrote.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor more than 48 hours, @Cal OES and state agencies have been on the ground supporting impacted communities, protecting public safety, and assisting local officials as response efforts continue,\u201d Newsom said Sunday.<\/p>\n
\u201d \u2026 California doesn\u2019t wait for disaster to unfold, we act early to protect lives and communities,\u201d he added. \u201cWorking together with our local and federal partners, we\u2019re 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The governor\u2019s office said a declaration from the Trump administration would permit federal cost-sharing support for urgent actions such as evacuations, sheltering and emergency medical support, access to public assistance to help pay for overtime, equipment and other emergency actions, and the ability for FEMA to provide additional direct federal assistance, such as personnel, specialized equipment and technical support.<\/p>\n
It differs from a major disaster declaration, which is typically approved only after significant damage has occurred.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, Unified Incident Commander Craig Covey said workers were able to see a gauge that\u2019s covered by water, and it revealed the temperature had increased to 90 degrees from 77 degrees Friday morning. The team was currently allowing the tank to \u201ccure at a slower rate and reducing its (building) overpressure,\u201d Covey said.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the OCFA is \u201cbringing people in from all over the country, talking to people all over the place, trying to come up with additional options. Letting this thing just fail and blow up is unacceptable to us.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that \u201cvery aggressive\u201d contingency plans are being employed in case the tank blows up or leaks, including fire and medical emergency plans, though the only people currently at risk were the firefighters and police officers on scene.<\/p>\n
Authorities are trying to establish \u201csome diking and damming and divert it to a spot that could be a holding area\u201d to prevent the fluid from \u201cgetting into our storm drains, our river channels and ultimately into the ocean, (causing) an environmental disaster,\u201d Covey said.<\/p>\n
Air quality monitors said they had not detected any contaminants in the atmosphere near the facility thus far.<\/p>\n
GKN Aerospace, a global supplier of vehicle and aircraft components that manufactures acrylic plastics, posted the following statement on its website Sunday:<\/p>\n
\u201cWe continue to monitor the condition of the affected material and are working round the clock to mitigate the risk of a leak. We are acutely aware of the uncertainty this incident is causing and sincerely apologize for the ongoing disruption to the local community.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are working closely with the Orange County Fire Authority, the EPA, OSHA, and all relevant federal, state and local agencies, and remain deeply grateful for the dedication and expertise of all the emergency services and agencies involved. Our priority remains the safe resolution of this incident, so that residents can return to their homes as quickly as possible. Please continue to follow all instructions issued by local authorities and emergency personnel at this time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Authorities responded to the plant at 12122 Western Ave. about 3 p.m. Thursday after the tank began venting vapors and triggering a sprinkler system designed to spray water on it to cool the material inside, methyl methacrylate used to manufacture acrylic plastics. Officials are concerned that further instability in the 7,000-gallon tank could set off an explosion in two adjacent tanks at the facility, one holding 15,000 gallons and one that contains 4,500 gallons.<\/p>\n
Some 50,000 people have been evacuated from parts of Garden Grove and neighboring communities. The evacuation zone was north of Trask Avenue, south of Ball Road, east of Valley View Street and west of Dale Street, and includes the entire city of Stanton, along with parts of Garden Grove, Anaheim, Westminster, Buena Park and Cypress.<\/p>\n
Evacuation orders were issued, but later lifted Thursday night when crews believed they were making progress mitigating the situation. But Friday morning, the orders were re-instituted \u201cdue to changing conditions,\u201d OCFA officials said. As the morning wore on, the situation worsened, and the evacuation zone was expanded to create a roughly one-mile buffer area around the tank.<\/p>\n
Officials clarified Saturday that the evacuation area was divided into a handful of zones, including three circular \u201cblast zones\u201d closest to the plant, with likely severe, moderate and light damage in the event of an explosion.<\/p>\n
Beyond that, three other zones were identified: Areas of flammability where fire or flash fire could occur, areas that were \u201cimmediately dangerous to life and health, where it would cause injury if anybody inhales or is impacted by the product in question,\u201d according to Nick Freeman, division chief with the OCFA, and a large \u201cnon-hazardous zone\u201d where people could still smell odors from a leak.<\/p>\n
A new evacuation center was opened at the Golden West College Gymnasium in Huntington Beach, and centers were also operating at the Garden Grove Sports and Recreation Center and the Cypress Recreation and Community Center. An evacuation center that accepts pets was opened at Los Amigos High School in Fountain Valley, but many pets were being housed outside other evacuation centers, which were not allowing them inside.<\/p>\n
Four evacuation centers that opened earlier were already full: Freedom Hall in Fountain Valley, Kennedy High School in La Palma, Ocean View High School in Huntington Beach and Savannah High School in Anaheim.<\/p>\n
Additionally, all Orange County 24 Hour Fitness clubs and several locations in the southwest Los Angeles area have been opened to offer restrooms and showers, phone-charging and air-conditioned space to rest for impacted residents.<\/p>\n
Multiple schools in the Garden Grove, Magnolia, Savanna, Westminster and Cypress school districts were closed until further notice.<\/p>\n
The Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa was providing temporary RV parking support for evacuees.<\/p>\n
Covey said a spill of the chemical is actually the \u201cbest case scenario, believe it or not,\u201d favorable to an explosion and possible plume of toxic material spreading over the area.<\/p>\n
He stressed that \u201cthere is no active gas leak, no plume in the area,\u201d but warned residents to heed the evacuation warnings and remain out of the area due to the possible spill or explosion. Officials said air quality was being actively monitored and all readings were still within healthy limits.<\/p>\n
It was unclear what caused the material in the tank to overheat.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe California Governor\u2019s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) activated the State Operations Center, which is operating 24 hours a day with 71 staff dedicated to coordinating statewide response efforts. \u2026 Through mutual aid, the state is coordinating with 421 local law enforcement officers and 170 firefighters to assist with incident response operations,\u201d according to the governor\u2019s office\u2019s statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cThree highly specialized hazmat teams and additional personnel, including hazardous materials experts, disaster logistics teams, fire and rescue personnel and law enforcement coordinators remain on scene supporting first responders.\u201d The statement also noted \u201cWhile there is no known leak of chemicals on the ground or in the air, state health and environmental agencies are continuously monitoring air quality, public health impacts and environmental conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Twenty-four state scientists, toxicologists and engineers with the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), California Air Resources Board, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) and the California Water Boards were coordinating with federal and local partners to continue conducting air monitoring throughout impacted communities and consulting on protecting nearby water bodies from potential impacts.<\/p>\n
In addition, \u201c20 real-time air-monitoring devices have been deployed to track volatile organic compounds and particulate matter, and 43 sheltering, public health and advance planning state staff have been activated in response to this situation,\u201d according to the statement.<\/p>\n
The California Department of Public Health, meanwhile, was coordinating with state and local health officials to provide public guidance regarding potential chemical exposure. It was working with the Department of Social Services and Department of State Hospitals \u201cto support the safe relocation of patients and residents across various settings located in the evacuation zones.\u201d<\/p>\n
Emergency medical officials were coordinating with medical facilities and local healthcare providers in advance of patient needs. \u201cCalOES Office of Access and Functional Needs is coordinating with partners to understand incident impacts, ensure facilities are accessible and needs are being met,\u201d according to the statement.<\/p>\n
State transportation services and emergency personnel were also helping maintain safe evacuation routes and traffic flow throughout impacted areas. \u201cCalifornia Highway Patrol officers continue assisting with traffic control, evacuations, operational coordination and public safety,\u201d according to the statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), Caltrans, CHP and local agencies continue supporting evacuation and sheltering operations for displaced residents. \u201cMultiple Caltrans and CHP staff are coordinating highway closures and traffic management operations in evacuation zones. Caltrans crews, including 12 maintenance trucks, were working around the clock with maintenance teams and emergency equipment deployed across impacted corridors.\u201d<\/p>\n
Newsom\u2019s Office added, \u201cState Parks rangers, lifeguards and other staff are assisting with security, operations, maintenance, public information and coordination with local responders, including 22 team members deployed to nearby Bolsa Chica State Beach.\u201d<\/p>\n
Government agencies were working with the private sector to ensure the accuracy of evacuation routes and shelter locations on map apps, and with rideshare companies to offer special rates for evacuees, and with hotel properties to offer discounted room rates for displaced residents.<\/p>\n
In 2021, GKN Aerospace paid about $900,000 to settle multiple environmental violations, including failing to keep emission records and operating equipment without a permit, according to the OC Register, which cited the South Coast Air Quality Management District.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Saturday cautioned anyone who would jack up prices on needed items during a state of emergency.<\/p>\n
\u201cCalifornia\u2019s price gouging law protects people impacted by an emergency from illegal price gouging on housing, gas, food and other essential supplies,\u201d he said. \u201cIf you see price gouging, I encourage you to immediately file a complaint with my office online at oag.ca.gov\/report or contact your local police department or sheriff\u2019s office.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Orange County District Attorney\u2019s Office announced Saturday afternoon that it has established an anonymous tipline and online reporting form to gather information regarding the incident.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnyone with information related to the circumstances leading up to this incident, including but not limited to specific details of the release, information about the industrial operations of the facility, the quality and frequency of maintenance of the tanks and systems at issue, and any other relevant information at GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems, is encouraged to call the Orange County District Attorney Anonymous Tip Hotline at 714-347-8714 or fill out an anonymous online form at www.ocdistrictattorney.gov<\/a>,\u201d the office stated.<\/p>\n A Garden Grove emergency hotline was operated at 714-741-5444, and an Orange County public information hotline was available at 714-628-7085.<\/p>\n Knott\u2019s Berry Farm in Buena Park and Disneyland in Anaheim were both open this weekend, but park officials said they were continuing to monitor the situation.<\/p>\n Disneyland officials said in a statement online that they were \u201ctaking guidance from local authorities,\u201d adding that \u201cthe Disneyland Resort is approximately five miles from the incident and is not in the identified evacuation zone.\u201d<\/p>\n Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress, which canceled its planned race card Saturday night \u201cin solidarity with the state of emergency declared in Orange County,\u201d announced that Sunday\u2019s racing would go on as scheduled, with the first post at 5:45 p.m.<\/p>\n Forest Lawn canceled a planned Memorial Day event in Cypress due to the ongoing emergency conditions.<\/p>\n The OCFA said the incident management team, in consultation with the EPA and Orange County Health Care Agency, \u201chas established the evacuation zone. Any areas outside of this zone are currently considered completely safe and day-to-day activities can continue as normal.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A team of Orange County Fire Authority firefighters will conduct an overnight mission Sunday evening to assess whether…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":31138,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[138248,163,165,164,138249,51191,43898,4853,98517,1556,65694],"class_list":["post-334215","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-anaheim","tag-all-night","tag-anaheim","tag-anaheim-headlines","tag-anaheim-news","tag-assess","tag-conduct","tag-crack","tag-firefighters","tag-hazmat","tag-mission","tag-tank"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/334215","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=334215"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/334215\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31138"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=334215"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=334215"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=334215"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}