About 40,000 people were under evacuation orders and schools shut down Friday in Southern California after a storage tank continued to leak a hazardous chemical used to make plastic parts that officials said could rupture or explode.

The situation took a significant turn for the worse on Friday, with officials saying the tank had two options: fail or explode.

Officials say the material is used to make acrylic plastics

Following a hazardous chemical leak in Garden Grove, California, evacuation orders have been issued for approximately 40,000 residents across multiple cities due to safety concerns regarding a storage tank containing methyl methacrylate.

Tens of thousands of people were ordered to leave their homes in California Friday after a huge chemical tank began leaking, with warnings it might blow up, sending toxic fumes over a heavily populated area.

Fire officials in Orange County, California, said a chemical tank in the area will imminently spill hazar

Orange County authorities are urging residents to heed evacuation orders amid a chemical tank leak. Hetty Chang reports for NBC4 at 2 p.m. on May 22, 2026.

The situation took a significant turn for the worse on Friday, with officials saying the tank had two options: fail or explode.