Extreme Weather Preparedness

GET EXTREME WEATHER WISE: EL NIÑO EDITION

Prepare for heavy rain, flooding, wildfires and other emergencies.

Extreme weather can happen quickly. A little preparation before conditions change can help protect you, your family, your home, and your neighbors.
 

BEFORE THE RAIN

Get emergency alerts

Sign up for Alert San Diego to receive emergency notifications and stay informed about severe weather, evacuations and other emergencies.

Sign up for Emergency Alerts
 

Make a plan

Talk with your household about where you would go, how you would get there, and how you would stay in touch. Plan for children, older adults, people with disabilities, and pets.

View Disaster Plan Guidance
 

Build an emergency kit

Keep water, nonperishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, chargers, important documents and other essentials ready to go.

View Emergency Kit Guidance
 

Protect your home

• Clear leaves and debris from gutters, drains, and drainage areas.

• Check your roof, gutters, and downspouts.

• Secure outdoor furniture, trash bins, and other items.

• Move valuables and important documents to higher areas if flooding is possible.

Pick up sandbags

Residents and businesses can get free sand and bags to protect homes and other property from flooding and soil erosion. 

County and CAL Fire locations are for the unincorporated area. Cities have their own sandbags. Some locations have sand and bags. Some have only bags. You need to bring a shovel to fill bags. Call before you come to make sure the location still has sand or bags.  

Find Sandbag Locations
 

Know your risk

Check flood, wildfire and other hazard maps for your home, workplace and school.

View the Hazard Map
 

DURING THE RAIN

Stay informed

Monitor emergency alerts, weather warnings, and evacuation information. Keep your phone charged and follow instructions from emergency officials.

Turn Around. Don’t Drown.

Never drive or walk through flooded roads or moving water. Water can be deeper and faster than it looks. Never drive around a barricade.

If you need to evacuate, leave early

Know your evacuation zone and follow directions from emergency officials. Take your emergency kit, medications, important documents, and pets with you.
 

AFTER THE RAIN

Stay safe

Floodwater can contain sewage, chemicals, and other hazards. Keep children and pets away from floodwater and avoid walking or driving through standing water. Watch for downed power lines, damaged roads, and unstable structures.

Check your home

Do not enter a damaged structure until it is safe to do so. Follow public health guidance when cleaning up water or debris.

Get help

For emergencies, call 911.

For help finding local health, human services and disaster resources, call 2-1-1 San Diego.

For non-emergency storm-related issues in unincorporated areas, use the County's app “Tell Us Now!” reporting system.

Go to the County App Center
 

MORE EMERGENCY RESOURCES

Alert San Diego

Emergency notifications, preparedness information and emergency resources.

Alert San Diego
 

County Office of Emergency Services

Emergency preparedness, response and recovery information.

County OES
 

County storm resources

Storm, flooding, drainage and sandbag information.

County Storm Guidance
 

Wildfire preparedness

Evacuation, defensible space and wildfire preparedness resources.

Wildfire Guidance
 

Power outages

Check current outages and restoration information.

Power Outage Tracking
 

2-1-1 San Diego

Connect with local health, human services, disaster relief and other resources.

Get Help from 2-1-1
 

National Weather Service

Check current forecasts, watches and warnings.

Forecast Watch
 

PREPARE NOW. STAY INFORMED. KNOW WHAT TO DO.