California Authorities Scale Back Evacuations After Chemical Tank Crisis Eases

Authorities in Garden Grove, California, significantly scaled back evacuation orders Monday after saying the risk of a catastrophic chemical explosion had been greatly reduced, allowing tens of thousands of displaced residents to finally return home. Governor Gavin Newsom also announced that President Donald Trump approved the state's request for a presidential emergency declaration in response to the crisis.

Until Monday evening, roughly 50,000 people had been ordered to evacuate because of a dangerously unstable tank at an aerospace facility holding 7,000 gallons of a chemical called MMA, a compound authorities say can cause serious health problems. Some evacuees described being given as little as 20 minutes to grab their belongings and go.

Officials worked through the weekend to bring the situation under control, dousing the overheated tank with cool water for days. Crews then worked through Sunday night into Memorial Day investigating a crack in the tank, which authorities said might help relieve the pressure and prevent a disaster. Orange County Fire Authority officials described that crack as a turning point that allowed them to take control of the situation.

While most evacuees can now return home, about 16,000 people are still not permitted to go back. Authorities say the tank continues to pose a risk, with concerns remaining around a potential fire, a small explosion, and the possibility of a chemical spill.