Evacuation Preparedness

image showing vehicles evacuating from a wildfire.

Find my zone

Know your evacuation zone, sign up for alerts and plan how your household will leave safely. Follow Ready, Set, Go to prepare before an emergency and act when conditions change.

Find your zone and sign up for alerts

  1. Find your zone: Search your address on Genasys Protect . Save the zone identifier and review its status. Repeat for work, school and other important locations.
  2. Enroll in alerts: Register for SMC Alert to receive emergency notifications by text, email or voice call. Add your contact information and the addresses that matter to you.

Looking up your zone does not enroll you in SMC Alert. Genasys Protect shows evacuation maps and zone status; SMC Alert sends emergency notifications. Keep your saved addresses and contact information current.

Know what emergency instructions mean

  • Evacuation warning: A potential threat to life or property. Prepare to leave. People who need extra time, and those with pets or livestock, should leave now.
  • Evacuation order: An immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to leave now. The area is closed to public access.
  • Shelter in place: Go indoors, close and lock doors and windows, and follow emergency officials' specific instructions until further notice.

Conditions can change quickly. An evacuation order may be issued without an earlier warning. Ready, Set, Go describes preparedness actions; always follow the specific instructions officials issue.

Get READY: prepare before an emergency

  • Find your evacuation zone and enroll in SMC Alert.
  • Prepare your home for wildfire by creating defensible space and reducing hazards. Review the City's fire preparedness guidance .
  • Choose a household meeting location outside the hazard area and identify more than one evacuation route.
  • Select an emergency contact and practice how your household will communicate if separated.

Get SET: prepare your household to leave

  • Pack a go-bag with medications, important documents, water, essential supplies and chargers.
  • Include supplies for children, pets, service animals, mobility needs and medical equipment.
  • Keep your vehicle fueled or charged.
  • Monitor official alerts and your zone's status. Leave early if you need extra time.

Arrange transportation and assistance

  • Identify someone who can help you leave and a backup contact if that person is unavailable.
  • Agree on a pickup location and how you will communicate. Confirm space for mobility devices, essential equipment and animals.
  • If you use accessible transportation, ask your provider about emergency procedures and service limitations before an emergency occurs.

Zone lookup and alert enrollment do not arrange transportation. Do not wait until the last minute to request a ride.

GO: leave early and follow directions

  • Leave immediately when ordered. Do not wait for an official notice if you feel unsafe.
  • Follow officials' routing instructions. Avoid fire, smoke, floodwater and closed roads.
  • Take essential supplies if immediately available; do not delay leaving to gather belongings.
  • Go to a safe location outside the affected area and tell your emergency contact where you are.
  • Return only when officials say it is safe.

If you face an immediate threat and cannot evacuate safely, call 911. Explain your location and the assistance you need.

 

Together we are MenloPrepared.

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