Governor Newsom proclaims state of emergency in Orange County in response to ongoing chemical incident in Garden Grove, makes additional shelter sites available

By The Office of Governor Gavin Newsom on May 24, 2026 • ( Leave a comment )

Taking proactive steps to protect Californians, Governor Gavin Newsom on May 23 issued a state of emergency proclamation for Orange County as the state continues to assist in local response efforts following a hazardous chemical incident at an aerospace facility that has resulted in the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents from the surrounding area.

The proclamation directs the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and all state government agencies to support Orange County and impacted local jurisdictions to address the emergency. The proclamation also unlocks additional emergency response resources and authorities, including making state-owned properties and fairgrounds available to provide shelter for evacuated residents, as necessary.

“The safety of Orange County residents is the top priority. We are mobilizing every available state resource to support local responders and ensure the community has what they need to stay safe,” Governor Gavin Newsom said.

“Cal OES continues to work alongside our local partners to support the ongoing hazardous materials response operation. Our role is to coordinate resources, share critical information, and ensure local responders have all the resources necessary to safely respond to this dynamic situation,” said Director of Cal OES Caroline Thomas Jacobs. “We are committed to a unified, whole-of-government response focused on keeping our communities safe.”

Residents are urged to listen to local officials for the latest evacuation information. If asked to evacuate, don’t wait. Visit the city of Garden Grove website (click here) to view an evacuation map.

Resources and other useful information for those affected by the Garden Grove Hazmat Incident are available on our Cal OES Community Resource page (click here).