Practice Storm Season Safety

Hey Californians! As cooler months bring new, interrelated challenges to our state, like floods, wind, power outages, mudslides, deep snow and cold temperatures, Listos California is taking action to protect our communities with resources to help you and others stay safe.

While the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and first responders across our state prepare for this climate-driven extreme weather, there are a few simple steps YOU can take today to keep yourself, your loved ones and neighbors safe.

Click each icon below to learn how to prepare and stay safe in different types of disasters

Floods

Stay Safe in a Flood

Most flooding can happen after extremely intense rainfall from severe storms. A flood can develop quickly, happen anywhere and sweep away most things in its path.

Know Where Floods Happen

In coastal areas: Water from storm surge can rise quickly from the ocean and flood normally dry coastal land. Extreme flooding occurs when storm surge happens at the same time as high tide.
In areas near rivers and streams: Excessive rain can quickly overflow banks, especially where nearby ground is already saturated from previous rains.

Prepare for a Flood

Sign up for local emergency alerts at ListosCalifornia.org/Alerts to get alerts sent to your phone.
Pay attention to authorities and local news. Be ready to evacuate all people and animals to higher ground if ordered.
Have a Go Bag ready with important documents and personal items you want to have if you must leave home fast.
Have flood control materials ready, such as plywood, plastic sheeting, lumber nails, a hammer and saw, a pry bar, shovels, and sandbags. Use plastic tarps and sandbags to block floodwater from entering vulnerable areas, such as exterior and garage doors.
Local authorities may tell you it is safer to shelter in place if flooding is not impacting your neighborhood. Pack a Stay Box with gallon jugs of water, food you could eat if there is no power and items you use every day. Plan to have enough of what you need for your entire family.
Check on neighbors. Older adults, people with disabilities and families with young children may need extra help.
Storms that bring flooding can also bring downed power lines and power outages. Have enough water and food that does not need refrigeration for every member of your household. Fully charge backup batteries, prepare to keep medicines cold and medical devices charged, and have access to a battery-powered radio for news.

Stay Safe During a Flood

Do not walk through moving water. As little as 6 inches of water can make you fall. Often, you can’t tell how deep it is or what the water is hiding.
As little as 6 inches of water can cause a vehicle to lose control. Just 12 inches of water can sweep most cars away and 2 feet of rushing water can carry away any vehicle—cars, SUVs and trucks. Do not drive through floodwater. Nearly half of all flood deaths occur in vehicles. It’s safer to turn around and find another route.
Never drive around barricades. Local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas and away from roads blocked or closed due to collapsed pavement or debris.
Do not touch floodwater, as it can make you sick. Floodwater may contain toilet waste, hazardous chemicals, dead animals, and heavy or sharp objects.

Recover from a Flood

If you had to evacuate, wait until officials say it is safe to go home.
Once you go home, document any damage with pictures.
Do not let children play in floodwater or play with toys or anything that got wet until they have been disinfected.
Do not drive or walk through areas with flooding or downed trees. There may be power lines or debris hiding below the surface.
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.

Power Outage

Stay Safe in a Power Outage

Planning ahead for power outages is the best way to ensure everyone’s safety until the power comes back on. Be prepared and be informed to keep you and the people you care about safe.

Prepare for a Power Outage

Sign up for alerts through your energy company so you can be notified about any energy issues. If you use electric medical and assistive devices, be sure to enroll in a medical baseline program to ensure you’re safe if the power goes off.
Create a personal disaster plan with family and caregivers for how to meet your needs during a power outage.
Keep phones and backup batteries fully charged, and 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.

Stay Safe During a Power Outage

Report downed power lines to 911 and your utility company. Keep people and pets away. Don’t drive over downed power lines.
Turn off everything that was on before the outage. Leave one light on that you will see when power is back on.
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 heat or cooking food.
Only use a generator outside, at least 20 feet from doors and windows. Do not use generators in wet conditions. Never use a generator indoors. Its poisonous exhaust can kill in minutes.
Keep freezers and refrigerators closed. Use coolers with ice if necessary.
Go to a community location with power if cold temperatures are extreme. In extended outages, call county officials to find shelter and warming center 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 shelter there. Or, offer your home if you have power and others don’t.

Recover from a Power Outage

When power returns, don’t turn on any appliances or devices that got wet. Turn on appliances one at a time.
Document and take photos if you have storm damage. Find other recovery resources on government websites.
Review your personal disaster plan and make changes based on your recent experience to prepare for future power outages.

High Winds

Stay Safe in High Winds

High winds can knock down trees and power lines, damage homes and buildings, and cause flying debris. Knowing what to do during high winds can save lives.

Prepare for High Winds

Monitor weather reports and official TV, radio and county emergency services channels. Sign up for local emergency alerts at ListosCalifornia.org/Alerts.
When high winds are expected, remove any dead trees or overhanging branches near structures. Check for loose roofing materials.
Secure outdoor objects—like furniture, toys or garbage cans in yards, on patios, or on balconies—that could blow away and cause damage or injury.
High winds can cause power outages. Have enough water and food that does not need refrigeration for every member of your household. Fully charge backup batteries, prepare to keep medicines cold and medical devices charged, and have access to a battery-powered radio for news.
Sign up for alerts through your energy company so you can be notified about any energy issues. If you use electric medical and assistive devices, be sure to enroll in a medical baseline program to ensure you’re safe if the power goes off.

Stay Safe During High Winds

Go to the safest place, such as an interior room or a bathroom. Stay away from windows.
Avoid going outside during high winds. If you are outside, find immediate shelter or take cover next to a building.
If you must drive, keep both hands on the wheel and slow down to a safe driving speed.
Stay a safe distance away from other vehicles as strong gusts may blow them into adjacent lanes. Stay clear of box trucks, RVs and other higher-profile vehicles, as these are more likely to be affected by high winds.
Turn on your headlights in case of blowing dust, sand, snow or rain. Watch for debris that may suddenly blow onto the roadway.
If the wind becomes too strong for safe driving, pull over to the side of the road, turn on your hazard lights and wait for conditions to improve. Avoid parking near trees or other tall structures that could fall on your car.
Never go near downed power lines. Avoid anything that may be touching a downed line, including tree branches and vehicles. Call 911 and your local utility provider to report downed power lines.

Recover from High Winds

Take pictures to document any damage to your property before you start cleanup or repairs.
If your home is not safe to stay in, call county officials to find shelter locations. Public shelters serve everyone and cannot ask for ID. Some shelters may better serve people with pets.
Be careful when handling debris or helping neighbors or others in your community clean up.
If you lost power, only use a generator outside, at least 20 feet from doors and windows. Do not use generators in wet conditions. Never use a generator indoors. Its poisonous exhaust can kill in minutes.
Know that roads may be closed because of downed power lines or trees. Never drive around barricades.

Cold Temperatures

Stay Safe in Cold Temperatures

Learn the Signs of Hypothermia and Frostbite

When temperatures drop, it is essential to keep warm and to do it safely. Knowing what to do in cooler temperatures can save your life. The California Department of Public Health recommends learning the signs and how to help someone with hypothermia
or frostbite:

Hypothermia is when body temperature drops to an unsafe level.
- Look out for heavy shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech or drowsiness.
- Get to a warm place and warm the center of the body first. Stay dry and wrap up in warm blankets. Drink warm liquids.
Frostbite occurs when skin becomes so cold, blood vessels contract, reducing blood flow and oxygen to affected body parts.
- Look out for numbness and loss of color around the face, fingers and toes. Also look for white or grayish-yellow-looking skin, or firm or waxy skin.
- Get to a warm place and soak the affected part or entire body in very warm but not hot water. You can also use body heat.
When in doubt, seek medical attention.

Prepare for Cold Temperatures

Pay attention to weather reports and warnings of winter storms and cold conditions. Sign up for local emergency alerts at ListosCalifornia.org/Alerts.
Make sure you have enough warm clothing, such as hats, gloves and blankets for everyone in your household.
Prepare your home to keep out the cold with insulation, caulking and weather stripping. Learn how to keep pipes from freezing. Install and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups.
Prepare for power outages. Have enough water and food that does not need refrigeration for every member of your household. Fully charge backup batteries, prepare to keep medicines cold and medical devices charged.
Sign up for alerts through your energy company so you can be notified about any energy issues. If you use electric medical and assistive devices, be sure to enroll in a medical baseline program to ensure you’re safe if the power goes off.

Stay Safe During Cold Temperatures

Heat your home safely:
- Do not use stoves, camp stoves or gas/charcoal grills for heat inside your home. The fumes are deadly.
- Only use a generator outside, at least 20 feet from doors and windows. Do not use generators in wet conditions. Never use a generator indoors. Its poisonous exhaust can kill in minutes.
- Use blankets, sleeping bags, warm winter coats, an up-to-code fireplace with dry firewood, portable space heaters or kerosene heaters if they are legal in your area. Keep all portable heaters at least 3 feet away from flammable objects.
Close off unused rooms to avoid wasting heat. Seal cracks under doors with towels or rags and close curtains to keep in as much heat as possible.
Keep blood circulating by moving around a few times an hour. Move your arms and legs and wiggle your fingers and toes.
Cold air is very dry. Stay well hydrated with water or sports drinks.
Know where you will go if your home becomes too cold. You could go to a friend’s house, community center, shopping mall or public library. Check with local emergency officials about warming centers available near you.
Limit your time outside. If you need to go outside, wear layers of warm clothing. Protect your nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers and toes by wearing gloves, scarves, socks and a hat. These areas are the first to be at risk for frostbite.
Stay off roads and avoid driving, if at all possible. Roads and freezing temperatures can quickly become dangerous. Call 911 if you have an emergency.

Look Out for Others

Check frequently on neighbors who may have limited access to heat.
For people who are 65 or older, cold temperatures can be especially dangerous. Friends, family and neighbors of older adults should check in frequently to make sure that their homes are adequately heated and that they are safe.
If you have pets, bring them indoors and do not leave them outside overnight.

Recover from Cold Temperatures

Check your home for any structural damage that could make living there unsafe, such as damaged plumbing or heating systems.
Document and take photos if you have storm damage. Find other recovery resources on government websites.
Continue to protect yourself from cold by wearing warm, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in several layers. Stay indoors, if possible.

Deep Snow

Stay Safe in Deep Snow

Deep snow can disrupt life by leaving people trapped inside their homes, adding weight to roofs, and knocking down trees and power lines. Being prepared for deep snow can save lives.

Prepare for Deep Snow

Stay up to date on storm warnings. Monitor weather reports and official TV, radio and county emergency services channels. Sign up for local emergency alerts at ListosCalifornia.org/Alerts.
Gather plenty of food, water and medicine before a snowstorm. Storms with heavy snowfall can cause power outages and trap you in your home for days. Plan ahead and have:
- Water and food that doesn’t need cooking or refrigeration
- Extra prescription medicine
- Diapers and formula
- Extra food and warm shelter for pets and livestock
Plan for power outages. Prepare to keep medicines cold and medical devices charged. Fully charge backup batteries and have access to a battery-powered radio for news.
Sign up for alerts through your energy company so you can be notified about any energy issues. If you use electric medical and assistive devices, be sure to enroll in a medical baseline program to ensure you’re safe if the power goes off.
Make sure you have enough warm clothing to dress in layers, and hats, gloves, scarves and blankets for everyone in your household.
If you use heating oil to fuel your furnace, be sure you have enough to last several days. Have emergency heating equipment in case deep snow interrupts your electric or gas service.

Stay Safe During Deep Snow

At the first sign of a storm, move livestock to sheltered areas and bring pets inside.
Heat your home safely:
- Do not use stoves, camp stoves or gas/charcoal grills for heat inside your home. The fumes are deadly.
- Only use a generator outside, at least 20 feet from doors and windows. Do not use generators in wet conditions. Never use a generator indoors. Its poisonous exhaust can kill in minutes.
- Keep all propane gas equipment clear of snow and ice. Snow and ice can damage propane equipment and cause a gas leak. If you ever smell gas—a rotten egg or skunk spray odor—put out all smoking materials and other open flames and leave immediately. Call 911 to report the leak from a safe location away from where gas is leaking.
- Put on warm winter coats, blankets and sleeping bags. Use an up-to-code fireplace with dry firewood, portable space heaters, or kerosene heaters if they are legal in your area. Keep all portable heaters at least 3 feet away from flammable objects.
To prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting, leave water taps on a slow drip. If your pipes freeze, use a hair dryer to unfreeze them. If your pipes burst, use a different water source, such as bottled water.
Limit travel during a snowstorm. Roads and freezing temperatures can quickly become dangerous.
If you must travel, let someone know where you are going so they know where to search for you in an emergency. Travel during daylight hours for better visibility.
Do not drive in snowy areas unless your vehicle is properly equipped for snow. Check the air pressure in your tires and make sure your tires have enough tread. Add any chains or studs required in your local area.

Recover from Deep Snow

Continue to stay tuned to local radio, TV and official social media for updated news and information on utility outages, emergency rescue services and blocked roads.
Document any damage with pictures.
Avoid driving until snowplows have had the chance to clear roads and travel conditions have improved.
When shoveling snow, take frequent breaks to avoid exhaustion and strain if you have to shovel by hand. Borrow a snowblower if possible.
The weight of deep snow can snap branches and cause roofs to collapse. Get the help of professionals to remove ice and deep snow from trees and your roof.
Check on neighbors and others who may need special assistance, such as older people and those with infants.

Mudslides

Stay Safe in Mudslides and Debris Flows

Severe storms and heavy rains increase the risk of floods and can lead to mudslides or debris flows. These conditions can threaten your life.

Know Where Mudslides or Debris Flows Happen

Mudslides: When water rapidly accumulates in the ground, a slope can fail to hold. Lots of dirt, rocks and plants slide quickly down the hill in a river of mud. Watch for mudslides in areas with:
- Steep slopes and runoff
- Prior mudslides and floods
- Construction
- Burn scars from wildfires
- Tilting telephone poles, trees or fences
Debris flows: Fast-moving mass of material that moves downhill by sliding, flowing and/or falling. Materials include slurries of water, rock, soil, vegetation, and even boulders and trees. Debris flows generally occur during periods of intense rainfall or rapid snowmelt. They usually start on hillsides or mountains.
- Rain in the mountains can start a debris flow, even if it’s not raining—or only sprinkling—where you live. Monitor incoming storms and pay attention when officials issue a flash flood watch or warning for your area.
- You may be more at risk if:
  - You live near hills, slopes, streams, creeks, arroyos or rivers
  - Your area had a wildfire in the past few years
  - Recent rains have already soaked the ground near you
- Even small debris flows can be dangerous.

Prepare for a Mudslide or Debris Flow

Sign up for local emergency alerts at ListosCalifornia.org/Alerts to get alerts sent to your phone.
Pay attention to authorities and local news. Be ready to evacuate all people and animals to higher ground if ordered. Have a Go Bag ready with important documents and personal items you want to have if you must leave home fast.
Learn several routes to safety if roads become blocked by mud or water.
Be aware of normal water flow for streams, creeks and rivers near you.
Get sandbags to protect your doors and foundations.
Clear debris from drains and gutters near your home.
Plant ground cover on bare slopes near your home to help hold the soil in place.

Stay Safe During a Mudslide or Debris Flow

Stay alert. Listen for sounds that might mean a mudslide/debris flow is coming, such as trees cracking or big rocks knocking together. A low rumble may become a roar as a mudslide or debris flow gets closer.
Move to the nearest high ground if you live near an area prone to mudslides or debris flows.
Do not walk through moving water. As little as 6 inches of water can make you fall. Often, you can’t tell how deep it is or what the water is hiding.
Do not attempt to drive through a flood, debris flow, or into flooded areas. It takes only 12 inches of water to float most cars, and 2 feet of rushing water can carry away any vehicle—cars, SUVs and trucks.

Recover from a Mudslide or Debris Flow

After a mudslide or debris flow, stay away from the site. More mudslides, debris or flooding may follow the first one.
If you had to evacuate your home, even for a potential mudslide, do not return until officials say it is safe.
Document any damage with pictures before beginning cleanup or repairs.
Contact your insurance provider to report any damage to your home and ask about recommended next steps.

Vehicle Safety

Stay Safe on the Road

Stay Informed Before a Storm

Sign up for local emergency alerts at ListosCalifornia.org/Alerts.
Stay tuned to local radio, TV and official social media for weather updates.
Check the Caltrans QuickMap at QuickMap.dot.ca.gov, the Caltrans Mobile QuickMap app or call 1-800-427-ROAD for real-time road information.

Prepare Your Vehicle for a Storm

In case you get stranded, put a “car emergency kit” in your vehicle that includes:
- Jumper cables
- Flares or reflective triangles
- Ice scraper
- Car cell phone charger
- Blankets, towels and extra clothing
- Water and snacks
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Cat litter or sand to aid with traction should your vehicle get stuck
Keep your car battery charged and your gas tank as full as possible in case of evacuations, unexpected detours or power outages. A full gas tank may also keep the fuel line from freezing.
Check the air pressure in your tires and make sure your tires have enough tread. Add any chains or studs required in your area.
Have a mechanic check your battery, oil, heater and defroster, antifreeze, wiper fluids, wiper blades, lights, brakes and exhaust system.

Drive Safely in a Rainstorm

Keep your headlights on. It makes driving safer for everyone on the road.
Keep your car radio on a local or regional news station, and keep an eye out for smartphone alerts about road closures and hazards.
Slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination. Snow and ice make stopping distances much longer, so leave more distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead.
If it becomes hard to control your car, safely pull over, turn on emergency hazard lights, stop the car and set the parking brake.
Allow extra time to reach your destination because of wet or icy roads, flooding, and possible gusty winds causing downed tree branches and power outages.
If a power line falls on your car, you are at risk of electrical shock. Stay inside until trained personnel can remove the wire.
If you’re driving when a flood warning is issued or flooding is already occurring, move to higher ground immediately, and avoid stopping near streams, rivers or creeks.
Never drive around a safety barrier of any kind or through flooded areas.
As little as 6 inches of water can cause a vehicle to lose control. Just 12 inches of water can sweep most cars away and 2 feet of rushing water can carry away any vehicle—cars, SUVs and trucks. Do not drive through floodwater. Nearly half of all flood deaths occur in vehicles. It’s safer to turn around and find another route.
If you exit your car during flooding, you can be swept away trying to stand in as little as 6 inches of water.

Drive Safely During an Evacuation

Do not speed in evacuation areas. Obey the posted speed limits.
Stay alert. Visibility may be limited. Expect the unexpected.
Watch for emergency workers and other vehicles. Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
Allow plenty of space between you and the car in front of you.
Give emergency crews room to work. Stay at least 4 car lengths back from emergency vehicles and other equipment.

Drive Safely on Ice or During Deep Snow

During colder months, you may encounter traction chain controls on mountain highways and roads. Keep a set of chains in your vehicle if you think you might be driving when they are required.
When chain controls are in place, roadside signs will tell you who needs them.
Wait until you can pull completely off the road to the right before installing chains. Don’t stop in a traffic lane where you will endanger yourself and others. Pull over to remove chains only after you safely clear the control areas.

Stay Safe After Storms

Continue to monitor official channels for information about road detours and driving conditions.
Never drive around barricades. Local responders use them to safely direct traffic away from roads that may be blocked because of downed power lines or trees blocked or closed due to collapsed pavement or debris.
Restock your car emergency kit if needed.

Shelter Guide

Seeking Shelter in a Storm

Safe Place Options

If you need somewhere to stay until you can safely return home, consider:
- Staying with a friend, family member or coworker outside the disaster area
- Going to a public mass care shelter or warming center

Mass Care Shelters

Mass care shelters offer safety and free services during and after a disaster. They are run by governments or nonprofit organizations and are different from shelters for people who are homeless or fleeing domestic violence. Free services you can receive include:
- Food and water
- Bathrooms
- Power to charge your phone or keep medicines cold
- A warm, safe place to sleep
- First aid and health care support

Warming Centers

If you are struggling to stay warm during cold, wet or windy weather, a warming center provides community members with a safe and warm environment to stay in when the weather is dangerously cold.

All Are Welcome

Public shelters and warming centers are open to all Californians, regardless of immigration status.
- You will not be asked for ID.
- You will not be reported to federal immigration officials.
- Accepting disaster aid is never counted as a public charge and will not impact your immigration status.
Service animals are allowed to stay with their owners in mass care shelters and warming centers. However, not all shelters accept household pets. Shelter staff can direct you to locations that are open to pets.
There may be separate locations designated to shelter larger animals, like horses.

Find a Mass Care Shelter or Warming Center

Follow reliable news sources reporting on the disaster.
Contact local officials.
Cal OES will list all available mass care shelters and warming centers at news.caloes.ca.gov.

Get Disaster Ready this Winter

If you are getting together with friends, families and neighbors this winter, have a conversation with them about creating or updating your personal emergency plan. Use our Storm Season Safety resources to take those steps today.

In our Resource Hub, you’ll find helpful guides in English and Spanish (with more languages coming very soon) including:

Flyers on preparedness, response and recovery for floods, power outages, high winds, cold temperatures, deep snow and mudslides/debris flows
A Quick Guide to Safety Before, During and After a Storm
A Shelter Guide palm card and flyer on finding safe shelter during a storm
Information on how to stay safe on the road during storms and evacuations

Get Resources

Storm Season Safety Text Message Course

Sign up for the “Storm Season Safety” 5-lesson text message course to learn about what to expect this winter and how you can prepare to keep your family safe. This course is available in English, Spanish, Hmong, and Punjabi. Click the button below to sign up in your preferred language, or text “CAWINTER” to 20202 via SMS.