Prepare & Stay Safe

Being prepared can help keep you and your family safe during floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, winter storms, power outages, and other emergencies. Start with a plan, build a supply kit, sign up for alerts, and know where to go if you need to leave quickly.

Emergencies can happen with little warning, so it’s important to be prepared. Every household should have a plan, keep emergency supplies for everyone—including pets—and know evacuation routes, especially in coastal areas. Staying informed through alerts and weather updates, keeping your phone charged, and knowing how to contact family members can help you act quickly and stay safe.

Talk with your household about what to do in different emergencies.

Your plan should include:

Where to meet if you are separated

How to leave your home quickly

Evacuation routes from work, school, and common destinations

An out-of-area emergency contact

Plans for children, older adults, and pets

Keep supplies ready in case you need to stay home or leave quickly.

Include basics such as:

Water

Nonperishable food

Flashlights

Batteries

Medications

First aid supplies

Hygiene items

Important papers

Pet supplies

Different parts of the county face different hazards. Learn which risks apply to your area.

Common local hazards include:

Flooding

Tsunamis

Earthquakes

Landslides

Severe weather

Hazardous materials incidents

If you live, work, or travel in a tsunami zone, review evacuation maps before an emergency happens. If flooding is possible in your area, monitor river and road conditions during storms.

Preparedness works best when everyone knows what to do.

Practice:

Leaving your home quickly

Reaching your meeting place

Using more than one evacuation route

Taking your kit with you

Checking on neighbors who may need help