The US government has declared a federal state of emergency in Orange County, California, following a chemical tank incident at an aerospace plant. President Donald Trump approved the request from California Governor Gavin Newsom on 25/5, mobilizing federal resources to aid response efforts in Garden Grove city.

Governor Newsom had previously declared a state-level emergency on 23/5 after a tank containing 26,500 liters of methyl methacrylate (MMA) at the GKN Aerospace plant malfunctioned. The tank heated up, posing a risk of explosion and the release of toxic chemicals into the environment. Orange County authorities responded by evacuating 50,000 nearby residents and continuously spraying water to cool the tank over the past four days, aiming to lower its temperature and prevent an explosion.

US President Donald Trump at the White House on 11/4. *Photo: AP*.

A federal state of emergency is an official mechanism allowing the US government, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to assist state and local authorities in implementing emergency protective measures when lives, public health, or safety are threatened. For Orange County, this mechanism provides federal emergency funding for activities such as: evacuation, temporary sheltering, emergency medical aid, and other protective measures for residents.

Local agencies can also access public assistance to cover overtime costs, equipment, and essential emergency operations. FEMA can directly deploy personnel, specialized equipment, and technical support to join state and local response efforts. California's early request for this mechanism allowed federal resources to be deployed as the incident unfolded, differing from the federal "major disaster" mechanism, which is typically approved after consequences are clearer.

Water being sprayed on the leaking chemical tank in Garden Grove, California on 24/5. *Photo: AP*.

After several days of response efforts, California officials announced that the risk of the chemical tank exploding had been eliminated. However, the risk of chemical leaks remains, and the 50,000 evacuated residents have not yet been allowed to return home. Evacuation orders are in effect for several areas, including: Garden Grove, Stanton, Anaheim, Cypress, Westminster, and Buena Park.

Among these areas, Garden Grove and Westminster are two main centers of Little Saigon in Orange County, home to the largest Vietnamese community outside of Vietnam.

A communal kitchen for Vietnamese people at a temporary shelter in Orange County, California on 24/5. *Photo: Reuters*.

MMA is a volatile and flammable liquid used in plastic manufacturing. It irritates the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, affecting the respiratory and nervous systems if exposed to high concentrations or for extended periods. Orange County officials are closely monitoring air quality, as some residents have reported symptoms suspected to be from toxic gas exposure. Many schools have closed and switched to online learning as a precautionary measure.

Duc Trung (According to KTLA, OC Register, CalMatters)