Officials in Southern California are in a desperate race against time to cool a massive tank filled with a toxic chemical that is currently at risk of an explosive failure. The situation remains volatile as the temperature of the methyl methacrylate, commonly known as MMA, continues to climb, forcing tens of thousands of residents to abandon their homes for safety.
Per CNN, about 50,000 people in Orange County have been told to pack up and leave, with many spending their Memorial Day weekend in hotels, shelters, or staying with family and friends far from the danger zone. While popular tourist spots like Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland sit nearby, they aren’t currently included in the evacuation area. Emergency crews attempt to prevent a catastrophe even as California has declared a state of emergency.
