National Preparedness Month: Be prepared for evacuations

Published on September 22, 2025

September is National Preparedness Month! Take time with your family to review your emergency plans, gather supplies and ensure you’re ready for wildfires, floods, earthquakes and other disasters. Being prepared today can make all the difference tomorrow.

Create an Action Plan

The whole family should be involved in developing your plan. The following steps are a great place to start:

• Identify Contact Information: Identify and document important phone numbers (emergency contacts, contact info for children’s schools, etc.).
• Review and Back-up Important Documents: Review your insurance coverage and make sure you are properly covered in case of wildfire, flooding and other disasters. Compile important documents (insurance info, passports, marriage license, birth certificates, etc.) into a safe, easy-to-access location to quickly take with you during an evacuation. Store physical copies of documents at a family member’s house or utilize secure cloud-based systems to store digital copies.
• Gather Supplies: Develop a “go-bag” with essential supplies for your family that can be grabbed quickly during an evacuation. Ensure medication, water, food, and other important items are considered based on your individual needs.
• Prepare for Evacuation: Designate an emergency meeting location outside the hazard area. Identify several different routes to leave your home in case one or more are blocked. Have all supplies for children, people with disabilities or others with access and functional needs, and/or pets identified and/or packed. If you know you will need extra time to evacuate, be prepared to leave early (even before official notice).

Take Action When Wildfire and Other Disasters Strike

When wildfire or other disasters strike, evacuation may become necessary, causing the implementation of your plan. Consider the following:

• Evacuation Notices: Sign up for SMCAlert emergency notifications! In San Mateo County, officials will issue “Evacuation Warnings” when a wildfire or other disaster may soon threaten a certain area. Everyone should be set to go at this stage, and those who need more time evacuating should leave right away. When there is an imminent threat to life and property, officials will issue an “Evacuation Order”, which is a lawful order to evacuate and remain out of an area. Everyone should leave when an Order is issued. In an intense wildfire, for example, danger may be present before authorities can issue an Evacuation Order. Don’t wait to be told by authorities to leave if you feel you are in danger.
• When to Go: For wildfires, leave early enough to avoid being caught in fire, smoke, or road congestion. Don’t wait to be told by authorities to leave. In an intense wildfire, the City and/or other authorities may not have time to knock on every door. If you are advised to leave, don’t hesitate!
• Where to Go: Leave for a pre-determined location. It should be a low-risk area, such as a well-prepared neighbor's or relative’s house, a Red Cross shelter or evacuation center, a motel, etc.
• How to Get There: Have several evacuation routes in case one route is blocked by the fire/other disaster or by emergency vehicles and equipment. Choose an evacuation route away from the fire.

By taking these simple steps, you can help ensure that you, your loved ones and your neighbors are ready for whatever comes our way.

Learn more about evacuation planning at menlopark.gov/evacuationtips.