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Are You Ready?

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Prepare for an Emergency, Wildfire, Or Power Blackout

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Community Warning System

It is important for Lafayette residents to sign up for the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services Community Warning System (CWS). Registering with CWS ensures that you will receive immediate notification of wildfires and other disasters affecting Lafayette. Register now for CWS. 

 

Lamorinda Residents Guide to Wildfire Preparedness & Evacuation

Download this booklet to better be prepared for an evacuation. Whether it is a wildfire, earthquake, of other disaster, you need to be ready to evacuate on short notice or, in some cases, to Shelter-in-Place. Within this booklet, you will find information about emergency alerts and warnings, how to sign up for them, what they are, where to find them, and what to do when you receive one. Here you will learn about the most critical ones for our community. You will also find Evacuation Tips. These are things that have been learned first-hand by evacuees and can save lives, time, and effort. There are things you can do now to prepare and things to do when you get an evacuation order. There are Worksheets to help you gather, in advance, the documents needed to rebuild your life following a wildfire or earthquake. Recovery following a disaster relies on preparation. This booklet was revised in 2022.

 

Lafayette's Community Information & Emergency Radio Station AM 1670

The City of Lafayette operates a FCC-licensed community information and emergency radio station that transmits 24/7 throughout the area at 1670 kHz in the AM broadcast band. The station is designed to provide City of Lafayette news and information that citizens can listen to at anytime. During emergencies, such as power outages, wild fires, and other disasters, the radio station will broadcast important information such as evacuation instructions. If power is out and internet or cellphone service is down, Lafayette's radio station will provide you with critical information through a battery-powered or car AM radio. You can listen to Lafayette's Community Information & Emergency Radio Station online here: https://bit.ly/LafayetteRadio1670AM.

 

PG&E Wildfire Safety Program and PSPS Events 

For information on PG&E's community wildfire safety plans and public safety power outages, please visit our Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) page.  

 

Be Prepared!

Make a disaster less likely:

  • Fire-safe your home by correctly storing flammable supplies, maintaining a defensible space in your landscaping, and keeping exits clear.
  • Earthquake-ready your home by securing the water heater, heavy furniture, bookshelves, etc. Do structural upgrades when possible
  • Review your flood insurance policy to understand what coverage it provides. Visit FloodSmart.gov to learn more.

Make a family disaster plan:

  • Discuss with your families what disasters are likeliest to occur, e.g.; earthquake, structure and vegetation fires, mud slides, blocked roads, power outages, etc.
  • Practice DUCK, COVER, AND HOLD and know the safest part of each room.
  • Learn the rules for SHELTER IN PLACE. Come inside, close doors and windows. Turn off ventilation. Listen to the radio (KCBS 740) for instructions.
  • Discuss alternate evacuation routes.
  • Plan two meeting places, one inside and one outside your neighborhood.
  • Designate an out of state family contact and give all family members the number.
  • Review your plan and check and or rotate supplies semi-annually.

Prepare a Disaster Supply Kit sufficient for 3 days:

  • Water-3 gallons per family member
  • Work gloves, pry bar
  • Manual can opener
  • Non-perishable canned and packaged food
  • Change of clothing, rain gear, sturdy shoes
  • Blankets or sleeping bags
  • First aid kit, prescription medications, eye glasses
  • Special needs e.g. baby supplies, pet food
  • Battery powered radio, flashlights, and plenty of fresh batteries

Before Strong Winter Storms

  • Keep creeks, drainage ditches and culverts on your property clear of debris.
  • Cleaning of drainage channels and swales or storm drains on private property is the responsibility of the property owner(s). 
  • Rake up leaves and dispose of them in your greenwaste bin; Do not blow or rake leaves into the street or into creeks as this can contribute to flooding! 
  • Check storm drains near your property - You can clear debris off the surface of the drain with a rake or pitchfork. DO NOT OPEN OR REMOVE THE PUBLIC STORM DRAIN GRATE.
  • Proper creek care includes safely removing tree limbs, leaves, trash, and other objects that can cause blockages. Secure outdoor furniture and other objects that may be moved around by strong wind. Read more about creek maintenance. Do not enter strong flowing creeks.
  • Avoid areas that are prone to flooding. Do not attempt to cross a section of road or trail that has water running over it.
  • Watch this video about how to fill and use sandbags: https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/5976/Sandbags.
  • Stay informed about the weather through the National Weather Service Bay Area webpage: www.weather.gov/mtr. 
  • Keep your mobile phones charged in case of a power outage.

Resources

Helpful Websites

The American Red Cross has an exceptionally well organized and logical website for beginning personal and family preparedness. There are general sections as well as information on children, pets, businesses and various other specific concerns. Go to the site directory. Click services, then disaster services.

The Association of Bay Area Governments' site covers earthquakes and secondary hazards. There are maps that predict earthquake hazards, information on how to structurally prepare your house, information on other natural hazards, a section for kids and links to other earthquake sites such as the USGS. Under planning projects click on earthquake.

The Contra Costa Community Awareness and Emergency Response Organization has specific directions about Shelter in Place at home, school, and in the workplace.

The Federal Government site includes information about natural disasters and terrorist possibilities including biological, chemical, and radiological events. FEMA offers a booklet Are You Ready, which can be ordered by calling (800) 480-2520.

The Department of Homeland Security covers terrorist threats and information on how to report suspected terrorists. It also acts, to some extent, as a clearing house for websites from other government and non agencies.