Emergency Preparedness

Being prepared for a disaster or emergency can help reduce the fear, anxiety, and losses that disasters cause. There are many government agencies and other organizations that provide information to help you prepare for or recover from a disaster.

Current Emergencies or Disasters

Accessible AlertSanDiego – Provides emergency notifications in American Sign Language (ASL) to residents of San Diego County who are deaf, blind, hard of hearing, and deaf/blind before, during, and after a disaster. Emergency notifications are available to internet and video capable devices, such as computers, cell phones, smart phones, tablet computers, and wireless Braille readers. These alerts are offered in ASL video with English voice and text. Select the Accessible Option during registration with AlertSanDiego.

AlertSanDiego – The County of San Diego’s regional notification system for residents and businesses impacted by, or in danger of being impacted by, an emergency or disaster. Landline phones are already included, but you must register your cell phone or VoIP number and/or email address. Homes and businesses at risk will be notified with information on the event and/or actions (such as evacuation, shelter in place, gas leak, missing person, etc.) they need to take. En Español: AlertaSanDiego para registrar su número de teléfono celular, número de teléfono por internet (VoIP), y correo electrónico para recibir notificaciones si podrian verse afectada por un desastre o emergencia.

CAL FIRE Incident Information – The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, CAL FIRE, provides updates on current active fires as well as archived information on previous fires.

InciWeb (Incident Information System) – Nationwide interagency website that lists incident information on all types of fires, controlled burns, and forest area closures to provide the pubic with a single source of incident-related information. Information may be sorted by type of incident, state, date, and status.

ReadySanDiego – Current emergency information on disasters, including wildfire, earthquake, pandemic influenza, tsunami, flooding (El Niño), and terrorism. Information includes updates, maps, shelters, and links to other agencies, as well as information on how to prepare for a disaster before it happens. Also available as a smartphone app. with automatic notifications. ListoSanDiego (Preparación para Desastres) en Español.

San Diego County Emergency – The official source of information from the County of San Diego during a large-scale emergency, including evacuations, shelters, road closures, local assistance centers (LACs), rumor control, and other disaster-related information and services. Sitio de Emergencia del Condado de San Diego información en Español.

Prepare for an Emergency or Disaster

Disaster Preparation and Recovery – This page from MedlinePlus contains links to reliable sources of information for all aspects of disaster preparedness and recovery, including overviews, specific conditions, related issues, and videos and tutorials. Información en Español sobre Preparativos y Recuperación de un Desastre.

Ready for Wildfire – CAL FIRE provides information on the steps to take to protect your home in case of a wildfire. Includes sections on preparing, preventing, post wildfire, bark beetles and dead trees, and more. Información en Español sobre los incendios forestales y como prepararse.

Ready.gov – Ready is a national public service campaign to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies including natural and man-made disasters. Information to help individuals (1) stay informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur and their appropriate responses, (2) make a family emergency plan, (3) build an emergency supply kit, and (4) get involved in your community by taking action to prepare for emergencies. Toll-free phone 800-BE-Ready (800-237-3239). Listo.gov en Español o llame gratis 1-888-SE-Listo (1-888-735-4786).

ReadySanDiego – Easy-to-use information on how to prepare for and respond to future emergencies, including making a plan, building a kit, staying informed, and getting involved, for all types of natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks. ListoSanDiego (Preparación para Desastres) en Español.

Disaster Recovery

2-1-1 San Diego: Disaster Services – Provides information and referrals to health and human services countywide through a phone center and online database. Serves as the general public’s “hotline” in a disaster, providing up-to-the-minute information about shelters, evacuation routes, road closures, volunteering, and more. Also provides a list of resources to support recovery efforts. 2-1-1 San Diego Servicios de Desastres.

American Red Cross of San Diego/Imperial Counties – The American Red Cross provides emergency assistance and long-term recovery services to people affected by disaster, threat of disaster, and human emergencies. Immediate response services include food, water, clothing, shelter, limited supplemental medical aid, and mental health services. For immediate needs, contact the San Diego American Red Cross emergency dispatch at 855-891-7325 or the American Red Cross at 800-REDCROSS (800-733-2767). Cruz Roja Americana en Español.

Cal OES (California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services) –Formerly called the California Emergency Management Agency, provides information on planning and preparing for a disaster or emergency and recovery. Includes information for individuals & families, businesses & organizations, schools & educators, and government & tribal. Translations of the website are available in multiple languages at bottom right of each webpage.

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) – National emergency management and preparedness agency provides information and assistance for before, during and after a disaster, disaster survivor assistance, and disaster recovery centers. Apply at Disaster Assistance.gov for federal assistance after a disaster. Administración de Mitigación y Seguro Federal en Español. Resources in 19 other languages.

San Diego County Recovery – Works to maximize disaster assistance to eligible public and private entities and residents through various state and federal disaster assistance programs. Includes information on returning home, cleanup, insurance, rebuilding, replacing documents, and more. En Español: El servicio de Recuperación del Condado de San Diego trabaja para potenciar al máximo la asistencia para residentes y entidades públicas y privadas elegibles a través de diversos programas estatales y federales de asistencia en caso de un desastre.