Prepare for Disasters

Piedmont is vulnerable to earthquakes, wildfires, and other disasters. Every resident should take steps to prepare.

Get started by signing up for emergency alerts, bookmarking official information sources, making a household communication plan, and building a disaster kit for your home.

Know how to get information

The most important step everyone can take to prepare for disasters is to learn how to get trustworthy information in an emergency. Take a few minutes today to sign up for alerts and bookmark official information sources on your computer and phone.

Piedmont and Alameda County public safety officials will use these channels to communicate in an emergency:

  • AC Alert: If you are not yet registered for AC Alert emergency notifications, sign up now at acalert.org. AC Alert is the emergency notification system for Alameda County. In a disaster, we’ll use this system to send critical safety information like evacuation orders and instructions by phone, text, and email.
  • Zonehaven: Bookmark community.zonehaven.com on your computer and phone. In a wildfire, earthquake, or other disaster, officials will use this site to post real-time, location-specific evacuation instructions and updates.

We will also publish updates on official web and social media channels:

Watch out for misinformation

In a disaster, misinformation can spread quickly, especially on social media and online forums. Well-intentioned people can inadvertently share rumors that do more harm than good.

Before sharing or acting on information you come across, check the official sources listed on this page to verify it.

Make a household communication plan

Your family may not be together when a disaster happens. Plan ahead to make sure you will be able to find one another.

  • Identify an out-of-area-contact: In a disaster, local phone and mobile networks may be overwhelmed, making it hard to reach one another. Pick a friend or family member who lives outside the Bay Area to act as a central information source. Separated household members can contact this person to let them know they are safe, find out who else has checked in, and relay other important updates.
  • Write down important phone numbers: Make a paper list of everyone in your household’s phone numbers, as well as other important contacts such as close family or friends, doctors, and veterinarians. Keep copies in your go-bag, office, car, children’s backpacks, and other locations where you spend a lot of time.
  • Pick a place to meet if you get separated: Choose a spot that is easy to get to and will be easy for everyone in the household to remember, like a park or landmark. It’s a good idea to have a backup meeting spot in case your main meeting place is inaccessible due to the disaster.

Tip: If phone lines are jammed, use text messages, email, or social media to communicate. Data-based services are less likely to experience major interruptions.

Pack a home disaster kit

A well-planned home disaster kit ensures your household will have what you need to meet daily needs after a disaster. Everyone should be prepared to live for 5 to 7 days without utilities

Your disaster kit should include essentials like:

  • Food and Water (1 gallon per person per day)
  • First aid kid and prescription medications
  • Pet food and supplies
  • Battery powered or hand-crank radio
  • Flashlights, headlamps, and extra batteries
  • Phone chargers and power banks
  • Warm clothing, toiletries, and extra pairs of glasses or contact lens
  • Cash and copies of important documents

Download a checklist to help pack.

Store your kit in a place that’s easy to get to, such as a hall closet, spare room, or garage.

Review your disaster kit every year. Replace anything that has expired. Consider how you lifestyle has changed since you last checked your kit, and add any new items that you may now need.