By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

Video by José Eli Villanueva:  prepare for a disaster with an emergency supplies kit, or “go bag.” When disaster strikes, often there are only a few minutes warning to evacuate. So, don’t wait until the warning comes, when you will likely be anxious and stressed, assemble your kit today and put it in a handy place to grab on your way out.

March 19, 2025 (San Diego) - Giving yourself and your family the best chance in a local disaster isn’t  just about luck, it’s about planning and preparing for various hazards to lower injuries, deaths and perhaps even damages.

Don’t think you need an emergency kit? Think again, say families who needed one.

By Juan Castro

February 23, 2022 (San Diego) -- Flashlights, a first aid kit and water bottles cover the dining room table. The Sánchez family is not going camping — they are preparing for disaster by putting together a “go bag.”

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  A new updated Personal Disaster Plan is available for San Diego County residents to learn what to do before, during and after a disaster.

October 21, 2019 (San Diego) - Do you have a plan if there’s a wildfire? Or any emergency? The County of San Diego is mailing a Personal Disaster Plan to residents who live in the areas of highest fire danger in our community. Read it when you get it, discuss it with your family, complete it and practice it.

By County News Center, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  Sign up to receive free emergency information from AlertSanDiego as part of a preparedness promotion with Lyft and you may get a $10 discount on a ride.  Image via Pixabay

August 31, 2018 (San Diego) - San Diego County is vulnerable to many types of emergencies: fires, floods, and earthquakes just to name a few. These disasters can strike at any time, and we should all be prepared to keep ourselves, and our loved ones, safe. But a 2017 survey conducted by the County found only half of San Diego County residents are prepared to evacuate their homes within 15 minutes. Only 38 percent have an emergency plan.

Source: Jennifer McGregor, http://publichealthlibrary.org

February 12, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – It’s important to be prepared before disaster strikes.  Public Health Library has provided the following helpful resources on what you should know about surviving wildfires, hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, and extreme cold.  There are also special resource links for pet disaster preparedness, helping those with disabilities, and Southern California-specific disaster safety guidance.

May 9, 2013 (San Diego's East County) --San Diego County residents know the importance of being prepared for disasters after the firestorms of 2003 and 2007, but are your pets included in those all important plans?  

“It’s not a question of if another disaster will strike, but rather when a disaster will strike San Diego County,” said County Animal Services Director Dawn Danielson.  “As part of National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day, we strongly encourage people to have a plan in place that includes your pets.”

As the lead agency in any disaster, the Department of Animal Services suggests you include all of the following in your pet disaster plan: