Empty streets and packed shelters across Orange County as thousands wait for toxic leak to end
A massive evacuation has taken place in northern Orange County due to a toxic leak from an industrial site in Garden Grove. Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency as the exclusion area expanded to nearly 10 square miles, affecting around 79,000 residents. Many families are now displaced, seeking shelter and waiting for updates on when they can return home.
- ▪Thousands of residents fled northern Orange County due to a toxic leak.
- ▪Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for the affected areas.
- ▪The evacuation zone has impacted approximately 79,000 people, leaving many in shelters and hotels.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Metro Empty streets and packed shelters across Orange County as thousands wait for toxic leak to end By Daniel Farr Published May 23, 2026, 7:48 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The California Post on Google With suitcases in hand and pets in tow, thousands of residents fled northern Orange County as a massive evacuation zone swallowed entire neighborhoods surrounding a contaminated industrial site in Garden Grove. Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency after the danger zone ballooned into a nearly 10-square-mile exclusion area stretching across Garden Grove, Anaheim, Stanton, Cypress, Buena Park and Westminster — uprooting as many as 79,000 people. Inside the sprawling perimeter, the normally packed suburban streets looked more like a ghost town.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at California Post.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from California Post
