Evacuation orders eased for thousands of California residents

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (NBC, KYMA) - Evacuation orders were eased Monday night for thousands of Orange County, California residents after they were forced to leave due to the high threat of chemical tank explosion at a nearby business.

While some residents were allowed back, a smaller evacuation order remains in place, leaving many still barred from going home.

After days of uncertainty, thousands of people are finally returning home as evacuation orders from the Garden Grove chemical threat are scaled back.

"I feel great. I've been gone for three days. I miss my home," said Thanh Vo, who lives in Stanton.

Vo and his wife have been staying at John F. Kennedy High School in La Palma, one of seven Red Cross shelters set up across the area to help those who were displaced.

"Everybody wants to go home. But at least I can say thank you for all people here, all the volunteers, they all very nice," Vo expressed.

Officials announced the reduction of the evacuation zone Monday evening, allowing people in shelters or staying with loved ones to finally return home.

Steve Ortiz's mother-in-law had been staying at his home for three days.

"She's all tucked in, watching her TV shows. But yeah, it was good to get her home. It's always comfortable at home," Ortiz, who lives in Garden Grove shared. "She had been staying with us because we were out of the evacuation zone, so I took her home."

However, many are still in the affected area.

"The trauma of not knowing. The uncertainty of when we can go home. What's going to happen? What if we do go back home and the chemicals are still in the air? What about our pets? That's my biggest concern is my pet," said Erica Ritz, who lives Stanton.

Ritz says they're looking forward to returning home, and even though there's no timeline, they're staying hopeful and positive.

"It's not going to last forever, it's just another speed bump, and we as a community always have a way of coming right back. And right now, we're just trying to survive, but we'll get back to thriving really quick," Ritz remarked.

The evacuation zone was reduced by about 65%. However, about 16,000 people are still under an evacuation order.