Tens of thousands of residents across Garden Grove, Anaheim, Westminster, Buena Park, Cypress and Stanton were allowed to return home after they were forced to evacuate ahead of Memorial Day weekend due to a faulty chemical tank that almost exploded in North OC.
A bulk of those residents were allowed to return home on Memorial Day after firefighters verified a crack in the tank and that its internal temperature was dropping.
Evacuations were lifted for the remaining 16,000 residents from Garden Grove and Stanton a day later – seemingly ending the emergency phase of the crisis.
The chemical tank crisis has triggered a series of questions about the effectiveness of state and regional regulatory agencies on overseeing the storing of toxic chemicals in local neighborhoods, driving state and federal legislators from OC to call for better oversight rules.
Amid calls for greater regulations, State Senators approved a bill introduced by Democrat Catherine Blakespear to reverse exemptions for industrial businesses from major environmental regulations.
The tens of thousands of residents and the thousands of business owners impacted by the evacuations may soon get some reimbursement or compensation through a claim process but local officials have yet to hash out the details on when or how that would roll out.
Several officials are recommending residents keep track of their losses and expenses and contact their insurance companies.
In the wake of the crisis, OC Supervisors and officials in a few of the impacted cities including Garden Grove, Stanton, Anaheim and Westminster are ratifying a local emergency over the faulty tank with residents and city officials demanding accountability and reparations for those affected.
Residents and local activists lambasted Garden Grove elected leaders at a tense and highly contentious city council meeting this week for their response to the crisis.
A host of residents also raised concerns about poor communication from public safety officials regarding the emergency and a lack of updates as the crisis unfolded.
Beyond the crisis, Orange County residents paid tribute to the Americans who gave their lives defending the U.S. on Memorial Day through ceremonies, flag displays, reenactments and live music performances across the region.
State Veteran Affairs officials announced a comprehensive study for a long-awaited veterans cemetery at Gypsum Canyon in Anaheim was completed – marking a key step forward on OC’s first final resting place for vets.
Meanwhile, Orange County’s government-funded domestic violence agencies are still facing uncertainty about how to continue providing services to survivors amid political shakeups and the trickle-down of federal funding cuts.
Hosam Elattar is a Voice of OC reporter. Contact him at helattar@voiceofoc.org.
