GARDEN GROVE, Calif. (KABC) -- An urgent situation is unfolding in Garden Grove, where a chemical tank at the GKN Aerospace facility has been unstable for several days and is on a path to imminent failure.
Authorities say it will likely either spill thousands of gallons of a highly toxic chemical or, even worse, explode if it fails.
The "crisis situation" has forced 50,000 people out of their homes, leaving them wondering when this will all end. Some schools were also closed on Friday.
The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) says a crew was able to see an internal temperature gauge, showing that the temperature has been rising about one degree per hour since Thursday morning.
Now, authorities are preparing for the tank to fail, as well as talking to experts from across the country to find any alternative solutions.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in Orange County, making additional state resources and shelter sites available.
So far, no injuries have been reported.
It was unclear what initially caused the material in the tank to overheat.
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The evacuation zone for a "crisis situation" in Garden Grove spans several blocks. Authorities say 50,000 residents are impacted. They are urging everyone in the zone to leave for their safety immediately.
The evacuation zone covers the area north of Trask Avenue, south of Ball Road, east of Valley View Street and west of Dale Street.
Small portions of West Anaheim, Cypress and Buena Park are also included in the evacuation zone, as well as the city of Stanton.
The Garden Grove Police Department said they did reverse 911 calls and went door to door, urging people to leave. They said as of Friday afternoon, there was about a 15% refusal rate.
A public information hotline was established at 714-628-7085. Another 24-hour call center is available at 714-741-5444.
City News Service contributed to this report.
About 50,000 residents are under mandatory evacuation orders due to the ongoing chemical tank crisis in Garden Grove.
Here is a list of resources for evacuees:
The following schools will be closed until further notice.
Garden Grove School District:
Magnolia School District:
Savanna School District:
Westminster School District:
Cypress School District:
City News Service, Inc. contributed to this report.
Mandatory evacuations have expanded for some 50,000 residents in the Garden Grove area, according to an internal briefing memo reviewed by ABC News.
There are multiple public facilities nearby -- including schools, hospitals, nursing homes, fire and law enforcement stations -- critical infrastructure, and essential services, all currently subject to mandatory evacuation and ongoing response operations.
Multiple roads have also been closed off in the evacuation zone. Evacuation centers have been established across Garden Grove, Cypress, Stanton City Hall, Anaheim, and Buena Park, the memo said.
ABC News contributed to this report.
GKN Aerospace, the company responsible for the unstable chemical tank in Garden Grove, is already facing a class action lawsuit over the potential disaster.
Two residents who live in the evacuation zone are named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit, but with 50,000 under evacuation orders, that number is expected to grow.
The lawyers behind the suit say evacuated families deserve answers, accountability and representation now. They say they're focused on protecting property rights, preserving evidence and making sure residents have a voice.
"You got to consider the fact that when you're storing highly toxic, highly volatile chemical compounds, you take on a responsibility. These are things that can be lethal in very small doses. and can create massive damage. So, if you don't act in a prudent way, you become responsible for your actions," said Filippo Marchino, the founder and managing partner of the X-Law Group.
The X-Law Group and Presidio Law Firm are leading the class action lawsuit.
They say, conservatively, the damages could reach into the hundreds of millions or billions of dollars.
