Disaster Readiness

Doing some small things today can help make sure you, your family, friends, neighbors and loved ones are safe and cared for when disaster strikes.

Click each icon below to learn life-saving tips in different types of disasters.

Find the latest on current emergencies here

Stay Safe in a

Power Outage

Stay Safe in a Power Outage

Prepare for Possible Shutoffs

Planning ahead for power outages is the best way to ensure everyone’s safety until the lights come back on.
During times of extreme weather, power may be shut off by your power company for public safety and to protect communities.
Sign up for alerts through your energy company so you can be notified about power shutoffs. If you use electric medical and assistive devices, be sure to enroll in a medical baseline program to ensure you receive notification of upcoming or current power shutoff events.

Before a Power Outage

If you use electric medical and assistive devices, create a personal disaster plan with family and caregivers for how to meet your needs during a power outage.
Get flashlights or lanterns with extra batteries, and surge protectors for sensitive devices. Do not use candles or oil lanterns for light.
Keep phones and backup batteries fully charged.
Have access to a battery-powered radio for news.
Have freezer packs, ice, and a cooler ready to keep food and medicine cold.
If you have an electric garage door, learn how to use the manual release lever.
Know where your circuit breakers and fuse boxes are and how to check them.
Have phone numbers written down in case of an emergency.

During a Power Outage

Report downed power lines to 9 – 1 – 1 and your utility. Keep people and pets away. Don’t drive over downed power lines. If one touches your car, stay away.
Turn off everything that was on before the outage. Leave one light on that you will see when power is back.
Unplug sensitive electronic equipment if you do not have surge protectors.
Do not use a gas stove or oven to heat your home. Don’t use a grill inside for cooking food.
Keep freezers and refrigerators closed. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours. Use coolers with ice if necessary.
Use a generator outside only, at least 20 feet from doors and windows. Indoors, its poisonous exhaust can kill in minutes.
Go to a community location with power if heat or cold is extreme. In extended outages, call your local county to find shelter locations. Public shelters serve everyone and cannot ask for ID. Some shelters may better serve people with disabilities or pets.
Check if neighbors, friends, or family have power and ask if you can come there – or offer your home if you have power and others don’t.

Stay Safe in a

Wildfire

Stay Safe in a Wildfire

Sign Up for Alerts & Make A Plan

Sign up for free emergency alerts with your county or local officials because wildfires can move quickly.
You can choose how to get alerts sent to you when you sign up, including cell phone, home phone, email, text messages, and in some cases, TTY devices.

Make A Plan

Wildfires may cause power outages, so have backup plans for electrical medical devices and medicines that must be refrigerated and have a battery-powered radio so you can hear emergency updates.
Get a map and plan three different exit routes where you live and work in case of road closures or unexpected changes in conditions.
Talk with your family and make an evacuation plan so everyone knows where to go when disaster strikes.
- Choose familiar places to meet up and practice getting there. Pick one in your neighborhood, one outside your neighborhood, and one outside your town in case you have to change plan based on fire location. These could be the home of a relative or friend or a store, library, or park.
- If you have pets or service animals, think about animal-friendly places to meet.
Have a Go Bag packed with necessary items like money, important documents, phones, medicines and medical devices. Make sure to have key items for babies, elders, people with medical needs, and pets.

Don’t Wait, Evacuate

Listen and watch for evacuation warnings and orders. An evacuation warning means get ready to leave.
If you need extra time to leave because of children, older adults, people with access and functional needs or pets and livestock, then leave during an evacuation warning.
An evacuation order means leave immediately. Don’t wait because your life and your family are in danger.
To find exit routes and safe shelters during a wildfire call your local or county authorities. Know that public disaster shelters are free and no one can ask you for ID. Reach out ahead to see which shelters may better serve people with disabilities or pets.
If you become trapped by fire, call 9-1-1 and tell them where you are. So rescuers know where to find you, turn on the lights in your home, or vehicle headlights and emergency flashers. Help may not be able to reach you or come quickly. That’s why evacuating early is very important.

Begin Recovery

You can find recovery resources at listoscalifornia.org/recovery.
Check to see if there’s aid available to survivors through local, state or federal programs.
After a wildfire, your home may be affected by smoke, soot and ash, chemicals, structural damage, and water damage.
If you are doing your own clean up, wear proper safety equipment and avoid activities that can blow harmful particles back into the air.
If you have to hire someone to help repair your home, ensure they have a license from the Contractors State License Board. Look it up at cslb.ca.gov.

Stay Safe in

Wildfire Smoke

Stay Safe in Wildfire Smoke

Smoke from wildfires can make the air very unhealthy for you, your loved ones, and your pets, even if the fire is very far away.

Breathing this air is especially harmful for sensitive groups, like children, older adults, and those with pre-existing health conditions.

Know How to Check Air Quality Conditions

The Air Quality Index (AQI) shows how much smoke, ash, and pollution is in the air. The AQI uses a simple system of numbers and colors to help you understand the level of danger to your health.
To know if the air where you live, work, study, or play is safe, visit airnow.gov.

Stay Safe Indoors

Stay indoors and keep children and pets inside as much as possible.
If you’re inside, keep doors and windows closed to avoid wildfire smoke.
Use air purifiers if you have them.
Turn off ventilation fans or anything allowing outdoor air to enter. Set your air conditioning to reuse air that’s already in the house.
Don’t burn candles or oil lanterns inside.
Minimize use of stoves or fireplaces that run on propane or gas. If you need to use a gas stove, turn on the hood fan.

Stay Safe Outside and On the Go

When unhealthy smoky air reaches your community, wear a mask that will protect you from small particles. A regular cloth or surgical mask won’t help.
If you work outside, wear a mask that protects you from fine particles.
If you are evacuating, bring inhalers and medications.
Look out for others in your community, including your neighbors and loved ones.
In an emergency or if someone has difficulty breathing, call 9-1-1.

Stay Safe in

Floods

Stay Safe in a Flood

Flooding is possible after heavy storms or steady rainfall. Even moderate amounts of rain can cause flash floods and general flooding. Having an emergency plan can help protect you, your loved ones, and your belongings when flooding happens.

Stay Informed

Local government and other local news are resources for up-to-date information about conditions in your area.
Use official TV, radio, and county emergency services channels to get the information you need to be safe. Keep listening for updates. Do not leave your home or where you are staying unless authorities tell you it is safe to do so. If they tell you to evacuate the area, follow their instructions.
Sign up for local emergency alerts (listoscalifornia.org/alerts) to help you know when to shelter in place with a Stay Box of essential supplies or when it’s time to grab your Go Bag and move to safer ground.

Prepare for and Stay Safe During Flooding

A flash food can develop quickly, happen anywhere, and can sweep away most things in its path. Pay attention to weather reports. Heavy rainfall can lead to flash flooding and mudslides.
Be ready to evacuate all people and animals to higher ground if ordered.
If trapped inside by floodwaters, move to higher floors or a roof, but not attics. Call 9-1-1.
Never drive into flooded areas. A foot – or 12 inches – of water will float many vehicles. When you see flooding, turn around.
Stay inside your car if it is trapped in rapidly moving water. If possible, try to get to your roof if water rises inside the car.
Do not walk through moving water. As little as six inches of water can make you fall. Often you can’t tell how deep it is or what the water is hiding.
For your safety, do not drive or walk through flooded locations and areas with downed trees. These are places where there may be downed power lines. Always assume downed power lines are energized and dangerous. Call 9-1-1 to report downed lines.
Never drive around barricades. Local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas or if roads are blocked or closed due to collapsed pavement or debris.
When water rapidly accumulates in the ground, mudslides can happen. Watch for mudslides in areas with steep slopes and runoff, construction, burn scars and tilting telephone poles, trees, or fences.
Storms that bring flooding can also bring downed power lines. Prepare for any medical needs that rely on power and have enough water and food that doesn’t need refrigeration for every member of your household for at least three days.

Stay Safe After Flooding

Wait until officials say it is safe to go home.
It may look just like muddy rainwater but beware that exposure to floodwater can make you sick. Floodwater may contain toilet waste, hazardous chemicals, dead animals, and heavy or sharp objects.
- Do not let children play in floodwater or play with toys or anything that got wet until they have been disinfected.
- Do not let any pets play in or drink from standing floodwater or puddles.
Floods can make your water unsafe to use or drink. Listen for official announcements on the safety of public water. Water authorities will tell you if your tap water is not safe or how to make it safe by boiling or disinfecting.
Flooding in your home can make your food unsafe to eat. Other than undamaged cans and metal pouches, throw out any fresh or packaged food and drinks that floodwater touched.
If you had power loss of 6-8 hours or more, throw away all frozen or refrigerated foods and medicines. When in doubt, throw it out!
If you have flood damage, contact your local emergency manager. Find other recovery resources on government websites.

Stay Safe in

Severe Storms

Stay Safe in Severe Storms

Planning ahead for severe storms is the best way to ensure everyone’s safety. With severe storms, you may experience high winds, flash flooding, and multi-day power outages. Be prepared, stay aware of conditions around you, and stay informed to keep you and the people you care about safe.

Stay Informed:

Local government and other local news are resources for up-to-date information about conditions in your area.
Use official TV, radio, and county emergency services channels to get the information you need to be safe. Keep listening for updates. Do not leave your home or where you are staying unless authorities tell you it is safe to do so. If they tell you to evacuate the area, follow their instructions.
Sign up for local emergency alerts (listoscalifornia.org/alerts) to help you know when to shelter in place with a Stay Box of essential supplies or when it’s time to grab your Go Bag and move to safer ground.

Prepare for and Stay Safe During Flooding:

A flash food can develop quickly, happen anywhere, and can sweep away most things in its path. Pay attention to weather reports. Heavy rainfall can lead to flash flooding and mudslides.
Be ready to evacuate all people and animals to higher ground if ordered.
If trapped inside by floodwaters, move to higher floors or a roof, but not attics. Call 9-1-1.
Never drive into flooded areas. A foot – or 12 inches – of water will float many vehicles.
Stay inside your car if it is trapped in rapidly moving water. If possible, try to get to your roof if water rises inside the car.
Do not walk through moving water. As little as six inches of water can make you fall. Often you can’t tell how deep it is or what the water is hiding.
For your safety, do not drive or walk through flooded locations and areas with downed trees. These are places where there may be downed power lines. Always assume downed power lines are energized and dangerous. Call 9-1-1 to report downed lines.
Never drive around barricades. Local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas or if roads are blocked or closed due to collapsed pavement or debris.
When water rapidly accumulates in the ground, mudslides can happen. Watch for mudslides in areas with steep slopes and runoff, construction, burn scars and tilting telephone poles, trees, or fences.

Prepare for and Stay Safe During Strong Winds:

When high winds are expected, remove any dead trees or overhanging branches near structures, loose roofing materials, and objects in yards, patios, roofs, or balconies that could blow away.
Before a storm, secure outdoor objects such as lawn furniture or garbage cans that could blow away and cause damage or injury.
If you are driving in high winds, slow down! Keep a safe distance from vehicles in lanes next to you and watch for objects blowing across the road.
If you are outside during high winds, find shelter immediately. Stay away from trees and power lines, and watch for flying debris.
Watch out for downed power lines during high winds. Never touch or drive over a fallen power line. If a power line falls on your vehicle, call 911 and stay inside until trained personnel can remove it.

Prepare for and Stay Safe During Power Outages:

Storms that bring strong winds and flooding can also bring downed power lines and power outages. Prepare for any medical needs that rely on power and have enough water and food that doesn’t need refrigeration for every member of your household for at least three days.
Sign up for alerts through your energy company so you can be notified about power shutoffs.
Fully charge backup batteries, prepare to keep medicines cold, and medical devices charged.
If you use electric medical and assistive devices, create a personal disaster plan with family and caregivers for how to meet your needs during a power outage.
Keep freezers and refrigerators closed. Use coolers with ice if necessary.
Use a generator outside only, at least 20 feet from doors and windows. Indoors, its poisonous exhaust can kill in minutes.

Stay Safe in

Fast & Cold Water

Stay Safe in Fast & Cold Water

Rivers and other bodies of water are colder, deeper, and faster than normal because of melting snow and more rain than past years. Even on hot and sunny days, open water can be too cold and too fast for the best swimmers.

Watch out for:

Very cold water. Get out as quickly as possible to avoid shock and hypothermia.
Slippery surfaces near moving water. Don’t fall in.
Uneven surfaces at the bottom of rivers. Be careful where you put your feet.
Hidden trees and rocks under the water. Avoid getting trapped or hit.
Distractions such as drinking alcohol or looking at your cell phone. Stay alert.
Children playing near water. Make sure an adult keeps watch on them at all times.
Wet clothing. Bring extra clothes to change into to stay warm.

Life vests can save your life!

Wear a vest when swimming, boating, or playing near the water.
Vests help you keep warmer and make you float for easier rescue.
Borrow vests from state parks or fire departments if you do not have them.
Children should always wear a life vest when within 20 feet of the water.

What to do if you fall in cold water:

Do not panic. Breathe slowly to keep calm. Kick off heavy shoes.
Swim to the shore as soon as possible. Do not swim upstream. It will tire you out.
If you are wearing a life jacket, float on your back.
If you fall out of a boat that flipped over, try to get on top of it to wait for rescue.

What to do if someone else falls in cold water:

Throw them something that floats and tell them to hold on.
Call 9-1-1.
Do not try to save them yourself.

Stay Safe in

Extreme Heat

Stay Safe in Extreme Heat

Watch for Signs of Heat Illness

In the summer, multiple days and nights of hot weather can be very dangerous. Getting too hot can make people sick. California Department of Health recommends learning the signs and how to help someone with heat illness:

Heat stroke: red, hot, dry skin; very high body temperature; dizziness; nausea; confusion, strange behavior, or unconsciousness; rapid pulse or throbbing headache. Call 9 – 1 – 1.
Heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, cramps, headache, nausea or vomiting, tiredness, weakness, dizziness and fainting. Move to a cool place and get medical help if vomiting or symptoms get worse or last longer than 1 hour.

Keep Cool

When temperatures are very high, make sure to:

Stay hydrated. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink.
Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing and a hat outdoors.
Wear sunscreen and avoid too much sun.
Slow down and avoid exercise during the hottest parts of the day.

Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. If your home doesn’t have air conditioning or if there was a power outage, find a public place you can go to get out of the heat:

Libraries, shopping malls, and community centers can be cool places to take a break from the heat.
Ask neighbors, friends, or family if they have a cool place you can hang out.
Call your local county to find a location near you to keep cool.

If you work outside:

Take breaks to cool down.
Your employer must give you water, rest, and shade.

Look out for Others

For people who are 65 or older, heat can be especially dangerous. Make a plan with a friend, relative, or neighbor who will call or come check on you twice a day while it is hot outside.
Bring pets inside. Make sure they have plenty of fresh water.
Make sure everyone is out of the car whenever you park. Never leave a child, adult, or animal alone inside a parked vehicle. Temperatures inside a car can rise almost 20 degrees within the first 10 minutes causing heat stroke or death.

Stay Safe in

Earthquakes

Stay Safe in Earthquakes

Preparing for earthquakes and knowing what to do after one happens can save lives. Stay safe by being earthquake ready.

Before an Earthquake:

Practice DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON at home and work.
Get life-saving seconds to stay safe before shaking starts by downloading and setting up alerts from California’s Earthquake Early Warning system at earthquake.ca.gov.
Secure loose and tall furniture to minimize damage or threat of injury.
Have a Go Bag and shoes in a place that you can find quickly if you have to evacuate.

Protect Yourself During Earthquakes:

If inside, do not rush outside or stand in a doorway. Never use elevators! Remember,
DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON.
If in bed, stay there and COVER your head with a pillow.
If outdoors, move away from anything that can fall, especially power lines, trees, street lights, and buildings.
If driving, pull over and set the parking brake. Make sure you stop away from trees, bridges, buildings, or power lines.

Stay Alert After Earthquakes:

Be ready for aftershocks over several days or weeks. Whenever you feel shaking, DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON.
Listen to local radio and TV programs for reliable emergency information and watch out for official emergency alerts.
If near the coast, evacuate as soon as the shaking stops. Earthquakes can lead to tsunamis, and you should not return until there is an all clear announcement.
Check for hazards around you, including gas leaks, downed power lines, ruptured pipes, and more. If you smell gas, evacuate everyone immediately.
Do not enter damaged buildings! Wait until officials say it is safe, even if that means waiting at a shelter. Call your local or county authorities to find exit routes to the nearest shelter.

FIVE EASY STEPS TO BE DISASTER READY:

GET ALERTS

to know what to do.

MAKE A PLAN

to protect your people.

PACK

a GO BAG with things you need.

BUILD

a STAY BOX for when you can’t leave.

HELP

friends and neighbors get ready.

Disaster Ready Guide

Text Course

Online Course

Sign Up for Emergency Alerts

Listos California offers an Emergency Alerts sign-up page to help connect Californians to their local alerts systems based on a provided zip code or location. The resource also explains the meanings of common alerts and identifies social media accounts associated with local government and first responders.

Click the button below to find out what alerts are available in your area and how to sign up for them.

Get Alerts