Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties are seeing unprecedented wildfires. Even if you think you are in a safe area, create an evacuation plan and take time to be prepared. Spending even an hour today to prepare the basics will give you a little pace of mind and could make all the difference in the case of an emergency order.
- Identify a few places you could go in case you need to evacuate. if you have friends or relatives in safe zones, contact them right now to ask if you can come there if needed. Look at wildfire maps and identify counties without fires, then check for hotels within that area. Have the information saved on your phone or print out and put with your emergency kit. Be sure to take pets and children into the equation to be sure their needs can be met.
- Familiarize yourself with escape routes. There are road closures and some routes will be heavier than others. You may have to take a circuitous route to get to your location. Prepare for a longer drive than normal to reach your destination.
- If you have a car: make sure the tank is full so you can avoid having to find gas on your way out. If the car is messy, clean up the clutter so you can pack it easily and quickly.
- If you don't have a car: Decide with friends and family how you will get to safety. If your car is currently being repaired you may consider a short term car rental for a week or so. Otherwise, pin down concrete plans for transportation. You can find public transportation schedules here.
- If you are being evacuated and you need a shelter, download the FEMA Mobile app for up-to-date shelter information.
- Create an emergency supply kit. (See suggestions below).
- Create a home inventory. This can be as simple as walking through your home with a camera phone creating a video of your belongs. Note the brand, age, when and where purchased. This can be helpful for insurance purposes later.
What to include in an emergency kit. Have the following items packed ahead of time and ready to go in your car. If you think about what you would need for a 3-day weekend away, it will give you a good outline of what you need to have packed. For more suggestions click here.
- Multiple face masks
- Three-day supply of non-perishable food and three gallons of water per person
- Prescriptions and medications
- Several changes of clothing
- Contact lenses or glasses
- Flashlight
- Sanitation supplies
- Pet food and water
- Small toys and books for children
- Diapers, baby food
If you get the word that you will likely need to evacuate, add the following items
- Cash, checks, and credit cards
- Insurance documentation
- Important documents like birth certificates and passports
- Family photographs and other irreplaceable items
- Computers and iPads
- Chargers for electronic items
- Easily carried valuables like camera equipment and small artwork
If you are evacuating:
- Shut all windows and doors, leaving them unlocked.
- Shut off gas at the meter and turn off pilot lights.
- Leave your lights on so firefighters can see your house in smoky conditions.
- Shut off air conditioning.
- Turn off propane tanks outside of the home.
- Connect garden hoses to valves for use by firefighters.
- Don't leave sprinklers or water running.
- If you have a ladder, place it on a corner of your house so firefighters can access your roof.
- Check on neighbors to be sure they have a way out.
RSOURCES:
- Cal Fire: https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/get-set/emergency-supply-kit/
- Monterey County Emergency Services: https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-a-h/administrative-office/office-of-emergency-services
- Santa Cruz County Emergency Services: http://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Departments/EmergencyServices.aspx