Crime & Safety
Garden Grove Hazmat Crisis Resources, Evacuation Centers: What To Know
A third evacuation center was opened Friday afternoon in Anaheim as a result of the ongoing crisis.
GARDEN GROVE, CA — Hazmat experts worked through Friday to stop a tank filled with a toxic chemical from exploding and potentially igniting a large fire at a plant in Garden Grove, leaving upwards of 40,000 residents in the surrounding area placed under mass evacuation orders.
"There are literally two options left remaining," Covey said. "One, the tank fails and spills a total of about 6,000 to 7,000 gallons of very bad chemicals into the parking lot in that area, or two, the tank goes into a thermal runaway and blows up, affecting the tanks that are around them that have fuel or the chemicals in them as well."
Covey stressed that "there is no active gas leak, no plume in the area," but he 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 in the area, and all readings were still within healthy limits.
Find out what's happening in Orange Countyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The evacuation zone covers the area north of Trask Avenue, south of Ball Road, east of Valley View Street and west of Dale Street.
Evacuation centers were originally established at Garden Grove Sports & Recreation Center, at 5700 Orange Ave. in Cypress and at Savannah High School in Anaheim, 301 N. Gilbert St.
Find out what's happening in Orange Countyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
However, by 8:23 p.m., the Orange County Fire Authority announced that only Freedom Hall and Savannah High School would accept resident impacted by the incident.
According to the OCFA, Freedom Hall will be a congregate dormitory shelter, with animals to be co-located at the shelter.
Residents were urged to bring their medications, and unsolicited donations were discouraged.
Residents can also access a public information hotline by calling 714-628-7015, with another 24-hour call center available at 714-741-5444.
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