Orange County reduced the Garden Grove chemical tank evacuation zone Monday night while Disneyland Resort remains open outside the affected area.
Orange County Fire Authority clarified late Sunday, May 24, that the tank has one known crack and peeling exterior weather stripping. Ongoing atmospheric monitoring has not found chemicals leaking from the tank, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.
Crews are still treating the tank as dangerous. Orange County Fire Authority said the worst-case explosion threat has been eliminated, but a smaller leak or explosion remains possible while the tank continues cooling.
The reduced evacuation zone covers the area between Orangewood Avenue, Dale Street, Garden Grove Boulevard, and Knott Street. Residents can check the public information map for their address before returning.
Disney reported no direct park operations impact Sunday. Road closures, detours, or traffic disruptions may still affect guests traveling through west Orange County.
The emergency began May 21 at GKN Aerospace, 12122 Western Ave. in Garden Grove, where a tank containing methyl methacrylate overheated and began venting vapors. The Associated Press reported early Monday that about 50,000 residents had been evacuated while local, state, and federal crews worked to prevent a leak or explosion.
The new crack update follows Disneyland Resort's Sunday operations statement, California's Orange County state of emergency, and the original evacuation orders that reached west Anaheim.
Update: Orange County reduced the evacuation zone after the 6 p.m. PT press briefing. The emergency area now runs between Orangewood Avenue, Dale Street, Garden Grove Boulevard, and Knott Street. California also said President Donald Trump approved a federal emergency declaration to support the Orange County hazmat response.
Sources: ABC7 Los Angeles crack clarification, ABC7 Los Angeles Disneyland operations update, ABC7 Los Angeles evacuation-zone update, Disneyland Resort operational update, Orange County reduced evacuation zone, City of Garden Grove emergency information, California Governor's Office, Associated Press, and CrowdLevels background coverage.