California Emergency Preparedness

Based on 116 FEMA disaster declarations, here is everything you need to know about preparing for emergencies in California.

100
Risk Score
Very High

Top Threats in California

Fire (27 declarations)
Moderate
Earthquake (13 declarations)
Low
Flood (39 declarations)
High
Severe Storm (23 declarations)
Moderate

FEMA Disaster History

California has had 116 federal disaster declarations since tracking began.

Declarations by Type

Flood 39
Fire 27
Severe Storm 23
Earthquake 13
Freezing 3
Hurricane 2
Dam/Levee Break 2
Tropical Storm 1
Winter Storm 1
Biological 1
Tsunami 1
Fishing Losses 1
Coastal Storm 1
Other 1

Recent Declarations

Wildfires And Straight-Line Winds 2025-01-08
Severe Winter Storm 2024-04-19
Severe Storms And Flooding 2024-04-19
Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides 2024-04-13
Severe Storm And Flooding 2024-02-19

Preparedness Tips for California

  • Create a defensible space of at least 30 feet around your home
  • Keep your go bag packed and ready during fire season
  • Sign up for local emergency alerts and evacuation notifications
  • Have N95 masks on hand for wildfire smoke events

Emergency Contacts

California Governor's Office of Emergency Services

916-845-8510

Visit Website →

Recommended Gear

Go Bag

Wildfire evacuations often happen with little notice

Air Filtration

Smoke from wildfires creates hazardous air quality for weeks

Emergency Radio

Stay informed about evacuation orders and fire progression

Get Your Preparedness Checklist

Customized for California's top threats

View Checklists