Senator Tom Umberg

Thank you to @livenowfox and @AndyMacNews for the opportunity to speak with you on the ground yesterday and provide an update on the situation as our emergency responders continue their work. livenowfox.com/video/fmc-xbxo…

“'The trajectory is headed in the right direction for the first time since Thursday,' said Thomas J. Umberg, a state senator who represents the area that has been evacuated." For the latest updates and information, read more here: nytimes.com/2026/05/25/us/…

For resources, updates and assistance, please continue reaching out to the hotline at (714) 628-7085.

Please see the updated evacuation map as of this evening. Residents are urged to continue following guidance from local law enforcement and emergency officials regarding returning home over the coming days.

As we continue responding to this emergency, we as a Legislature also need to ask serious questions about how highly volatile chemicals were being stored this close to residents and what safeguards are needed to ensure something like this never happens again.

While concerns about a smaller explosion or leak still remain and the site continues to be closely monitored, this is a major step forward for our community.

I’m happy to share more encouraging news tonight: the evacuation zone has now been reduced to only the immediate area surrounding the facility.

Read more here: #threat-of-massive-o-c-explosion-eliminated-but-evacuations-remain-officials-say" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">latimes.com/california/liv…

“’Thanks to the courageous work of firefighters who were able to get on top of the tank and remove the shroud, emergency crews now have the ability to cool the tank even further,’ Umberg said, adding that he was grateful for the president’s action..."

That said, this remains an active emergency situation and residents still cannot safely return home at this time. We will continue sharing updates, resources and verified information as we receive them.

Thanks to the courageous work of firefighters who were able to get on top of the tank and remove the shroud, emergency crews now have the ability to cool the tank even further, and we are continuing to move in the right direction.

My wife, retired Brigadier General Robin Umberg, and I are spending this Memorial Day here in Garden Grove, where emergency officials shared encouraging news this morning that temperatures and pressure levels continue to decrease.

“However, we cannot yet assure residents that it is safe to return home. We are asking for a little more patience." Read more here: nytimes.com/2026/05/25/us/…

“We are cautiously optimistic that the greatest danger may have been eliminated and that we are heading in the right trajectory,” Senator Thomas J. Umberg, a state legislator who represents the area that has been evacuated, said in a statement.

@OCFireAuthority I will be attending another briefing at the command center this morning and will continue keeping the community updated with the latest verified information as we receive it.

This morning, @OCFireAuthority shared that tank temperatures continue decreasing and pressure levels have dropped, and they now believe the threat of a BLEVE has been eliminated.