FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2026
Connor Traut – Mayor, Buena Park
714-747-6766 | ctraut@buenapark.com
Latisha Townsend – Communications Director, Supervisor Foley
(714) 559-8364 | Latisha.Townsend@ocgov.com
Buena Park Mayor Connor Traut and Supervisor Katrina Foley Share Emergency Updates and Voting Resources During Garden Grove Chemical Incident
BUENA PARK, Calif. – Buena Park Mayor Connor Traut and Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, who both serve as directors of the Orange County Fire Authority, released the following statement as emergency crews continue responding to the hazardous materials incident at GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove.
“If you hear a hi lo siren from law enforcement, evacuate immediately,” said Mayor Connor Traut. “Evacuation orders are not precautionary. The danger is real. Public safety officials have warned that this chemical tank will fail and either release dangerous chemicals or explode, and no one can predict the exact timing. A threat like this does not stop at the Garden Grove city line, and neither can our response. Follow evacuation orders now, avoid closed roads, and check on vulnerable neighbors.”
Emergency officials continue to respond to an MMA chemical leak at 12122 Western Avenue in Garden Grove. Evacuation orders remain active in impacted areas while the Orange County Fire Authority, law enforcement, health officials, emergency management teams, and city staff protect residents, monitor conditions, and support displaced families.
Open evacuation shelters include:
Garden Grove Sports and Recreation Center
13641 Deodara Drive
Garden Grove, CA 92844
714-741-5783
Cypress Community Center
5700 Orange Avenue
Cypress, CA 90630
714-229-6780
Unified Command Emergency Information: www.ocsheriff.gov/resources-during-disaster
Voting Access
Due to evacuation orders, the County of Orange Registrar of Voters announced that the Garden Grove Sports and Recreation Center Vote Center will not operate on Saturday, May 23, until further notice. The City facility now serves as a care and shelter site for residents displaced by the incident.
“This emergency will not prevent residents from voting,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley. “The County of Orange Registrar of Voters moved quickly to protect voters, election workers, and displaced families while keeping voting access open. If you evacuated without your ballot, go to any Vote Center, request a replacement ballot, and cast your vote safely. Public safety comes first, and voter access continues.”
The following Ballot Drop Boxes within the evacuation area also remain unavailable until further notice:
Stanton Branch Library
7850 Katella Avenue
Stanton, CA 90680
Korean Martyrs Catholic Center
7655 Trask Avenue
Westminster, CA 92683
Chapman Sports Park
11700 Knott Avenue
Garden Grove, CA 92841
All voters, including voters displaced by the evacuation, may visit any open Vote Center in Orange County to cast their ballot. Voters who evacuated without their ballot may request a replacement ballot at any Vote Center.
The closest Vote Center to the Garden Grove Sports and Recreation Center is:
Miriam Warne Community Building
14491 Beach Boulevard
Westminster, CA 92683
Registrar of Voters Voter Hotline
888 OCVOTES
888-628-6837
Find Vote Center and Ballot Drop Box Updates at ocvote.gov/voting. To inquire about Supervisor Foley’s media availability, please contact Latisha Townsend at (714) 559-8364.
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Vice Chair Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2.
Vice Chair Foley’s 2026 Board appointments include:
Chair – Orange County Housing Finance Trust
Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA)
Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA)
Orange County Audit Oversight Committee
OC Public Libraries Advisory Board
Newport Bay and South Orange County Watershed Executive Committees
Transportation Corridor Agency - Foothill/Eastern
Transportation Corridor Agency - San Joaquin Hills
Coastal Greenbelt Authority
