San Mateo County officials urge residents to take small steps now to be ready for earthquakes wildfires and tsunamis
San Mateo County, California – San Mateo County is asking people to take little but important actions to get ready for emergencies. They are also reminding people that disasters can happen at any time. In the last several weeks, the county has had to deal with both a tsunami watch along the coast and a wildfire that shut down parts of Interstate 280. These threats are quite varied, yet they all say the same thing: you have to be ready.
The Board of Supervisors made it official on Tuesday that September is National Preparedness Month. The declaration is a call to action that shows how many dangers can affect the area, from earthquakes in Daly City and East Palo Alto to wildfires on the slopes to tsunami watches from Pacifica to Pescadero.
Supervisor Lisa Gauthier, who chairs the County’s Emergency Services Council, underscored the importance of keeping things simple.
“Preparedness isn’t complicated,” she said. “It’s about simple things like talking with your kids about a meeting place or making sure you have a flashlight that works. Those small steps can make a big difference when the unexpected happens.”
San Mateo County Emergency Management has laid out five simple steps to assist folks get started. The first step is to talk to your family, roommates, or neighbors on what to do if a crisis strikes. Choosing a place to gather and giving everyone their own tasks can help clear things up when things are stressful.
The next step is to write down crucial phone numbers. People don’t remember phone numbers anymore, and power outages and dead batteries can make phones worthless. A tiny list in your wallet could be quite important.
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Third, the county wants families to check their supplies often. An emergency kit should have food, water, medicine, flashlights, and chargers. You don’t have to put together a whole kit all at once, but starting with the essentials might help a lot.
The fourth step is to learn how to read alerts. People can respond swiftly if they grasp the differences between watches, warnings, and alerts. Each one has a different level of urgency.
Lastly, people are encouraged to sign up for SMC Alert, the county’s free service that sends emergency alerts by text or email. National alerts can convey general cautions, whereas local alerts give information about individual neighborhoods.
“We know emergencies can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do everything at once,” said Dr. Shruti Dhapodkar, director of San Mateo County Emergency Management. “Start with one action this week, whether that’s signing up for SMC Alert or writing down phone numbers. Small steps now can make a life-saving difference later.”
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County officials say that being ready isn’t about being flawless; it’s about making progress. Recent events have illustrated how quickly things may change in everyday life. Making a strategy today could help you stay calm when the next alert comes tomorrow.
