Emergency Preparedness Tips
PREPARE FOR AN EMERGENCY
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TIPS
Have a “go bag” ready with essential items: medicines, documents, and valuables that you can take within 15 minutes.
If your area is susceptible to flooding, know your exits and evacuation routes.
Have food, water, flashlights, and a backup battery to stay informed during a power outage.
Avoid travel on waterways deeper than 3 inches; even shallow moving water can sweep away cars and people.
If you cannot safely evacuate, stay in place.
Prepare your home to limit damage. If you live in a flood zone, raise items off the floor by at least 6 inches.
After an incident, Family Resource Collective staff can help file insurance claims and coordinate documentation.
INFORMATION: FLOODING & EARTHQUAKES
Flooding Safety & Preparedness
Before a Flood
Know whether your home is in a flood zone (check FEMA Flood Maps)
Prepare sandbags if your area is prone to flooding.
Move valuables, documents, and electronics off the ground.
Keep a go-bag with medications, cash, water, clothing, and important documents.
Have an evacuation plan and identify higher ground nearby.
During Flood Conditions
Never walk, swim, or drive through flood water.
Just 6 inches of water can knock a person off their feet; 12 inches can sweep a car away.
Avoid downed power lines and electrical equipment.
If told to evacuate, leave immediately and follow official routes.
Do not use generators indoors—risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
After a Flood
Avoid returning home until officials say it is safe.
Watch for structural damage, gas leaks, and contaminated water.
Clean and disinfect everything that got wet.
Document all damage for insurance claims—photos and receipts.
Earthquake Safety & Preparedness
Before an Earthquake
Create an emergency kit with food, water, medications, flashlights, and first-aid supplies.
Secure heavy furniture (bookcases, refrigerators) to walls.
Strap down water heaters.
Identify safe spots in each room: under sturdy tables or next to interior walls.
Practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.”
During an Earthquake
Indoors: Drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck under furniture, and hold on.
Outdoors: Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
In a vehicle: Pull over safely, stop, and stay inside until the shaking stops.
Avoid doorways—modern homes do not have reinforced doorframes.
After an Earthquake
Expect aftershocks—drop, cover, and hold on again if they occur.
Check yourself and others for injuries.
Avoid entering damaged buildings.
Check for gas leaks, broken pipes, and damaged electrical lines.
Use text messages instead of phone calls to keep networks clear.
Listen to emergency instructions from local authorities.
BE PREPARED
For Extreme Heat
Many areas of California will experience heat above 100 degrees for much of the day. Please stay safe, stay cool, and share the information and resources below with your family, friends, and communities.
The Governor shared a list of cooling centers in each county, where people can go to get relief from high temperatures:
https://www.caloes.ca.gov/cal-oes/active-incidents/cooling-centersTips for Staying Safe in Extreme Heat
People without air conditioning should check for cooling centers near them, or visit public locations such as a library or shopping mall.
Avoid physical exertion or exercising outdoors.
Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose clothing, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, even when not thirsty. Sports drinks may help replace electrolytes (in moderation).
Avoid sugary, alcoholic, and very cold drinks.
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Monitor people at high risk: infants and young children, adults 65+, pregnant individuals, and anyone with chronic illness or disabilities.
Check on neighbors—call or visit vulnerable people and offer help with groceries, medication, and other necessities.
Use a buddy system when working in the heat.
Keep pets indoors with plenty of water.
Check local news for weather forecasts, extreme heat alerts, and cooling center information.
Health & Safety Resources (Multi-language)
Enter your ZIP code for the latest weather forecast.
PG&E COMMUNICATIONS
PG&E encourages everyone to have a plan and prepare for power outages.
For outage updates:
Electric Safety Tips
Never touch downed wires: If you see a downed power line, assume it is energized and extremely dangerous. Do not touch or try to move it—and keep children and animals away. Report downed power lines immediately by calling 911 and by calling PG&E at 1-800-743-5002.
Use flashlights, not candles: During a power outage, use battery-operated flashlights, and not candles, due to the risk of fire. If you must use candles, please keep them away from drapes, lampshades, animals, and small children. Do not leave candles unattended.
Have a backup phone: If you have a telephone system that requires electricity to work, such as a cordless phone or answering machine, plan to have a standard telephone or cellular phone ready as a backup.
Have fresh drinking water, ice: Freeze plastic containers filled with water to make blocks of ice that can be placed in your refrigerator/freezer during an outage to prevent foods from spoiling. Blue Ice from your picnic cooler also works well in the freezer.
Secure outdoor furniture: Deck furniture, lightweight yard structures, and decorative lawn items should be secured as they can be blown by high winds and damage overhead power lines and property.
Use generators safely: If you have a standby electric generator, you should make sure they are properly installed by a licensed electrician in a well-ventilated area. Improperly installed generators pose a significant danger for you, as well as crews working on power lines. If using portable generators, be sure they are in a well-ventilated area.
Turn off appliances: If you experience an outage, unplug or turn off all electrical appliances to avoid overloading circuits and to prevent fire hazards when power is restored. Simply leave a single lamp on to alert you when power returns. Turn your appliances back on one at a time when conditions return to normal.
Safely clean up: After an emergency has passed, be sure to safely clean up. Never touch downed wires and always call PG&E at least two full business days before digging to have all underground utilities safely marked.
Emergency Preparedness Guide/Toolkit for Individuals with Disabilities
The California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) have also developed an Emergency Preparedness Guide/Toolkit for Individuals with Disabilities available in multiple languages that includes information and emergency preparedness tips for individuals with specific types of disabilities.Recovery Resources
Community Bridges Family Resource Centers
Support for families after disasters:
Insurance claim help
Documentation support
Local resource navigation
County & Federal Resources
CodeRED Emergency Alert Sign-Up
Santa Cruz County Fire Recovery Resources
Long-Term Recovery Group CZU Rebuild Guide
Santa Cruz County Post-Fire Watershed Recovery Guide
FEMA Flood Map (Check your address)
USGS Debris Flow Hazard Map
“How to Help CZU Fire Survivors.”
Fire Relief Support
Santa Cruz Community Foundation Fire Relief Fund
Community Bridges Fire Relief
Additional Disability-Specific Preparedness Resources
Emergency Preparedness Guide/Toolkit for Individuals with Disabilities
(Available in multiple languages through CalOES and CA Department of Rehabilitation)