California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Saturday (23/5) for Orange County after authorities discovered a crack in a storage tank containing toxic chemicals, raising fears of a possible explosion and prompting large-scale evacuations.
In an official proclamation, Newsom cited his constitutional and statutory authority under California emergency laws, including Government Code Section 8625, to formally declare a statewide emergency response.
“By virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of California, including the California Emergency Services Act, and in particular, Government Code Section 8625, I hereby find that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist in Orange County due to the Orange County Chemical Incident,” the declaration stated.
The order directs all state agencies to assist Orange County and local jurisdictions affected by the incident in managing the emergency response. It also unlocks additional state resources and emergency powers, including the use of state property and fairgrounds as temporary shelter facilities if needed for evacuated residents.
Newsom said the decision was taken to ensure public safety amid escalating risks linked to the chemical leak and structural instability of the storage tank.
“The safety of Orange County residents is our top priority,” he said in a statement published on the state government’s official website.
“We are deploying all available state resources to support first responders and ensure communities remain protected and informed.”
The incident began last Thursday when the chemical tank started leaking and emitting fumes, prompting authorities to launch emergency evacuations. Officials confirmed that around 40,000 residents were ordered to leave their homes, particularly in areas of Garden Grove, Orange County.
On Saturday, fire officials warned that the tank was heating up, increasing the risk of a major explosion. Firefighters responded by spraying water on the structure and collecting technical data to assess the situation.
Acting Orange County Fire Authority Chief TJ McGovern said responders identified a crack in the tank that may have helped relieve internal pressure.
“The crack may actually be reducing some of the pressure inside the tank,” McGovern said.
“Our operations today are giving us positive intelligence to make informed decisions moving forward.”
He added that specialists are continuing to analyze the collected data. “We are not out of the woods yet, but this is a step in the right direction,” he said.
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the leak. The tank contains approximately 7,000 gallons (26,000 liters) of methyl methacrylate, a highly flammable chemical used in plastic production.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that methyl methacrylate can irritate the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, and may cause respiratory and neurological effects following acute or prolonged exposure.
