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.

Get Winter Ready

• Get Winter Ready and sign up for local emergency alerts with Ready.ca.gov.
• CalOES Storm Season Safety gives you tips and best practices for all weather conditions.
• Listos California’s Severe Storms and Storm Season Safety pages have winter weather preparedness materials in over 15 languages.
• Monitor the news and other trusted sources of information to stay aware of mudslides and debris flows, especially in burn scar areas.
• Prepare an emergency go-bag with essential supplies, water, medication, and important documents.

When Winter Weather Arrives
• Stay off the roads whenever possible. If travel is unavoidable, check real-time conditions and drive at reduced speeds, avoiding standing water or debris on the roadway.
• Never walk or drive through floodwaters. Turn around, don’t drown. Even six inches of moving water can sweep a person off their feet, and as little as one foot can carry a vehicle away.
• Avoid parking under trees or power lines during high winds or heavy rain, as saturated soil can cause trees to uproot or fall unexpectedly.
• If you see a downed power line, always assume it is energized—stay back at least 30 feet and call 9-1-1 or your utility provider.
• Check on your neighbors when possible.

Information: Flooding

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

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-centers
Tips 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)
• How to Stay Healthy in Excessive Heat — Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese
• Preventing Dehydration — Spanish
• Drowning Prevention — Spanish
Enter your ZIP code for the latest weather forecast.

PG&E COMMUNICATIONS

Power Outage Preparedness & Electric Safety

Be Prepared for Power Outages

PG&E encourages everyone to have a plan and prepare for power outages.

For outage updates:

Call 1-800-743-5002
Visit the Electric Outage Map at pge.com
Sign up for email, text, or phone alerts through your PG&E account

Electric Safety Tips

Never touch downed power lines
Always assume downed wires are energized and extremely dangerous.
- Do not touch or attempt to move them
- Keep children and pets away
- Call 911 and PG&E (1-800-743-5002) immediately
Use flashlights, not candles
Battery-operated flashlights reduce the risk of fire. If candles are used, keep them away from drapes, lampshades, pets, and children, and never leave them unattended.
Have a backup phone
If your phone requires electricity (cordless or VOIP), keep a cell phone or standard phone available as a backup.
Keep drinking water and ice on hand
Freeze plastic containers of water to create ice blocks for refrigerators and freezers to help keep food cold during outages.
Secure outdoor furniture
Tie down or store lightweight furniture, yard items, and decorations to prevent damage to power lines and property during high winds.
Use generators safely
- Standby generators should be installed by a licensed electrician
- Portable generators must be used outdoors only in well-ventilated areas
- Improper generator use can cause serious injury or death
Turn off appliances during outages
Unplug or turn off appliances to prevent overloading circuits and fire hazards when power is restored. Leave one lamp on to signal when electricity returns, and turn appliances back on one at a time.

After the Emergency

Clean up safely and avoid hazards.
Never touch downed power lines.
Call PG&E at least two business days before digging to have underground utilities safely marked.

Emergency Preparedness Resources for Individuals with Disabilities

The California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) offer an Emergency Preparedness Guide/Toolkit for Individuals with Disabilities.

Available in multiple languages
Includes preparedness tips tailored to specific types of disabilities
Designed to support safety, planning, and independence before, during, and after emergencies

Recovery Resources

Community Bridges Family Resource Centers

Support for families after disasters, including:

Insurance claim assistance
Documentation and paperwork support
Local resource navigation and referrals

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 Maps (check your address)
USGS Debris Flow Hazard Maps
“How to Help CZU Fire Survivors”

Fire Relief Support

Santa Cruz Community Foundation Fire Relief Fund
Community Bridges Fire Relief Programs

Additional Disability-Specific Preparedness Resources

Emergency Preparedness Guide/Toolkit for Individuals with Disabilities
(Available in multiple languages through CalOES and the California Department of Rehabilitation)