Back to top
Find more resources
MEANS BEING PREPARED FOR ANY EVENT
Disaster Resilience
NEW STORY!
1. Sign up for emergency alerts: Visit CalAlerts.org to sign up for alerts in your area. Consider signing up for alerts in an older loved one’s area too.
beauty and opportunity, but it also faces risks from natural disasters and emergencies. Wildfires, floods, earthquakes, and other hazards can strike anywhere in the state. The risks may differ depending on where you live, and you can learn what emergencies your area is prone to by visiting MyHazards. Preparing ahead can make the difference in how you, your loved ones, and your community respond and recover.
2. Make a disaster-ready plan: Create a list of contact information you may need; decide where to meet if you’re separated from loved ones; practice your plan.
3. Pack a go bag: To grab when you need to leave quickly, including important documents and items for each family member, keys, wallet, identification, phone and charger, and medication.
4. Pack a stay box: Include basic supplies for when you can’t leave home, such as food that won’t spoil, water, a flashlight, trash bags, and medication – enough for three days.
5. Help friends and neighbors: Exchange contact information with your neighbors and plan how you might work together in an emergency.
• Water
• Non-perishable food
• Medication, especially prescriptions
• list of prescriptions
• Eyeglasses
• Copies of important documents
• List of important phone numbers
• Cash
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• FIRST AID KIT
• WHISTLE, TO SIGNAL FOR HELP
• MOIST TOWELETTES, GARBAGE BAGS, AND PLASTIC
TIES FOR PERSONAL SANITATION
• PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS
• MANUAL CAN OPENER
• CELL PHONE CHARGER
• BACKUP BATTERY
What should older adults put in a
go bag?
Trusted connections with family, friends, caregivers, and healthcare providers are crucial to ensure older adults’ and adults with disabilities’ needs are met during emergencies. Important considerations include:
California offers endless natural
5 Readiness Actions
1. Sign up for emergency alerts
2. Make a disaster-ready plan
3. Pack a go bag
4. Pack a stay box
5. Help friends and neighbors:
• Emergency Preparedness Guide
• MyHazards
• CalAlerts
• Listos California
• Ready.gov
• Medicare: Care in an Emergency
Quick Links
Why Preparedness Matters
Older adults may face unique challenges during emergencies, such as mobility needs, medical equipment requirements, or reliance on caregiving services. By planning ahead, you can protect your safety, maintain your independence, and reduce stress if disaster strikes.
California has a multitude of resources to support older adults in planning for emergencies. The California Department of Aging’s Emergency Preparedness Guide helps older adults, people with disabilities, and others who may need extra help in an emergency prepare while considering their individual needs. California’s network of 33 Area Agencies on Aging, along with community partners and emergency services managers, are developing and revising disaster preparation and response plans to help communities prepare to serve all Californians in the event of a disaster.
Listos California endorses a five-point approach to readiness and offers resources in multiple languages.
Five Key Readiness Actions
Water and non-perishable food
Medications and a list of prescriptions
Eyeglasses, hearing aids, or assistive devices (labeled with your name and phone number)
Copies of important documents and phone numbers
Cash, keys, wallet, identification
Cell phone charger and backup battery
Flashlight with extra batteries
First aid kit, whistle
Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and ties for sanitation
Personal hygiene items, including hand sanitizer
Change of clothing and blanket
Manual can opener
Pet food and supplies
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Listos California offers a Disaster Recovery Resources Guide in English ad Spanish that includes information about housing assistance, replacing vital documents, replacing prescriptions, accessing food, and more. You can also find a variety of safety and disaster preparedness flyers on different topics and a Disaster Ready Card in 14 languages.
Emergencies can feel unpredictable, but preparation puts you in control. By taking a few simple steps now, you’re protecting your safety, your independence, and your peace of mind. Every action, big or small, helps you and your community be ready.
Read the California Department of Aging’s Emergency Preparedness Guide
Check MyHazards to determine local emergency risks
Sign up at CalAlerts for emergency alerts
Review Listos California for readiness resources in multiple languages
Look at Ready.gov for simple, low-cost ways to prepare
Check Medicare: Care in an Emergency for advice and tips
•
•
•
•
•
•
-Visit CalAlerts.org for local notifications.
-Create a contact list you can quickly access without technology tools.
-Decide where to meet if separated from loved ones.
-Practice your plan so everyone knows what to do.
-Keep it in an easy-to-reach spot near your main exit.
-Include essential items (see checklist below).
-Store supplies for at least three days at home.
-Choose non-perishable food, water, and necessary medications.
-Exchange contact information and discuss how you can support one another.
Go Bag Essentials
Pack items that support your needs for at least 72 hours away from home:
Plan for Your Unique Needs
Trusted connections like family, friends, caregivers, and healthcare providers are crucial supports in an emergency. Consider what and who you rely on day-to-day, and how you’d access those people and resources during an emergency:
•
•
•
•
•
Identify at least four people you can call for support
Ensure backup power availability for medical devices
Determine accessible transportation and evacuation routes
Secure alternate access to food if you use home delivery or congregate meal sites
Talk about continuity of care if you have in-home assistance
Resources to Help You Prepare
beauty and opportunity, but it also faces risks from natural disasters and emergencies. Wildfires, floods, earthquakes, and other hazards can strike anywhere in the state. The risks may differ depending on where you live, and you can learn what emergencies your area is prone to by visiting MyHazards. Preparing ahead can make the difference in how you, your loved ones, and your community respond and recover.
Why Preparedness Matters
Older adults may face unique challenges during emergencies, such as mobility needs, medical equipment requirements, or reliance on caregiving services. By planning ahead, you can protect your safety, maintain your independence, and reduce stress if disaster strikes.
California has a multitude of resources to support older adults in planning for emergencies. The California Department of Aging’s Emergency Preparedness Guide helps older adults, people with disabilities, and others who may need extra help in an emergency prepare while considering their individual needs. California’s network of 33 Area Agencies on Aging, along with community partners and emergency services managers, are developing and revising disaster preparation and response plans to help communities prepare to serve all Californians in the event of a disaster.
Listos California endorses a five-point approach to readiness and offers resources in multiple languages.
Five Key Readiness Actions
1. Sign up for emergency alerts
2. Make a disaster-ready plan
3. Pack a go bag
4. Pack a stay box
5. Help friends and neighbors:
Listos California offers a Disaster Recovery Resources Guide in English and Spanish that includes information about housing assistance, replacing vital documents, replacing prescriptions, accessing food, and more. You can also find a variety of safety and disaster preparedness flyers on different topics and a Disaster Ready Card in 14 languages.
Emergencies can feel unpredictable, but preparation puts you in control. By taking a few simple steps now, you’re protecting your safety, your independence, and your peace of mind. Every action, big or small, helps you and your community be ready.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Water and non-perishable food
Medications and a list of prescriptions
Eyeglasses, hearing aids, or assistive devices (labeled with your name and phone number)
Copies of important documents and phone numbers
Cash, keys, wallet, identification
Cell phone charger and backup battery
Flashlight with extra batteries
First aid kit, whistle
Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and ties for sanitation
Personal hygiene items, including hand sanitizer
Change of clothing and blanket
Manual can opener
Pet food and supplies
•
•
•
•
•
•
Read the California Department of Aging’s Emergency Preparedness Guide
Check MyHazards to determine local emergency risks
Sign up at CalAlerts for emergency alerts
Review Listos California for readiness resources in multiple languages
Look at Ready.gov for simple, low-cost ways to prepare
Check Medicare: Care in an Emergency for advice and tips
California offers endless natural