Whether you’re at home or out and about, a disaster can strike anywhere at any moment. As California continues to experience more complex disasters, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) wants you to be ready.
It’s important to have supplies ready in your car, home or work. If you and your family are on the road, here are a few considerations to ensure you’re ready.
Pack a Go Bag
Consider keeping a few essential items in your car. Most disasters are unexpected and packing a Go Bag ahead of time will help you get to a safe destination with the things you need.
- Important documents: copies of identification, insurance, deeds, titles, and photos of family and pets
- Cash
- Map
- Medications list
- First aid kit
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- First aid kit
In case you are stranded, keep an emergency supply kit in your car with these automobile extras:
- Jumper cables
- Flares or reflective triangle
- Ice scraper
- Blanket
- Map
- Cat litter or sand (for better tire traction)
Have a plan for traveling between work and home and other commonly visited locations. In case there’s an emergency during your daily commute, familiarize yourself with these safety practices:
In a Moving Vehicle: Listen to the radio for information and instructions as they become available. If the emergency could impact the physical stability of the roadway, avoid overpasses, bridges, power lines, signs and other hazards. If a power line falls on your car, stay inside until a trained person removes the wire.
On a Train: If the train stops, follow the operator’s instructions quickly and calmly. In an extreme emergency when you must evacuate the train without the operator’s assistance, follow posted emergency procedures.
On a Station Platform: Familiarize yourself with all the exits at the stations that you use in case you must take a different exit. Listen for announcements and follow instructions quickly and calmly.
On a Bus: Follow the bus operator’s instructions. Emergency exit procedures are listed on windows, ceiling escape hatches and on doors.
If the location you’re at is unsafe due to a disaster, you will need to go to a safe place and meet with people you care about. It’s hard to know ahead of time where these safe places might be, and these places might change based on the kind of emergency you face. Remember to:
- Follow the guidance of local authorities.
- Learn different ways to get out of your community fast.
- Keep your gas tank at least half full, or battery charged if your car is electric.
- Visit CalAlerts.org and sign up for alerts through your county.
- Get earthquake early warnings for your homebase no matter where you’re at. Visit Earthquake Warning California to download the app.
Additional Resources
Commuter Emergency Plan by Ready.gov
Cal Trans Live Traffic Quick Map
Take Time to Prepare Now – Listos California
Disaster Ready Guide – Listos California