September is National Preparedness Month, a reminder that emergencies can happen at any time. Being prepared can make all the difference in keeping you, your loved ones, and your community safe.
Make a Plan
A strong preparedness plan ensures everyone in your household knows what to do in an emergency. Decide how you will communicate, choose a meeting spot, and plan for pets and seniors. Start building your plan today at ready.gov/plan
Build an Emergency Kit
Having a well-stocked emergency kit is essential. Include water (1 gallon per person per day), non-perishable food, a flashlight with extra batteries, a battery or hand-crank radio, and a first aid kit.
A complete checklist is available at ready.gov/kit
Understand Emergency Terms
Knowing the terminology used in emergencies helps you act quickly:
• Shelter-in-Place
Stay inside or go to the nearest building until officials say it’s safe to leave. This keeps you protected during an incident.
• Evacuation Warning
A potential threat to life and/or property exists. You are not required to leave yet, but be ready to evacuate quickly. Conditions can change fast.
• Evacuation Order
An immediate threat to life exists. This is a lawful order to leave now. Staying puts you at serious risk and delays rescue efforts.
Stay Connected
Emergencies can happen with little warning. Staying informed is critical. Sign up for CruzAware, Santa Cruz County’s official alert system, which sends phone, email, and text notifications.
Residents can register easily at cruzaware.org
Preparedness Is Year-Round
While National Preparedness Month concludes in September, safety is a year-round effort. Make a plan, build an emergency kit, understand emergency terminology, and stay connected with alerts. Preparedness is a community effort—let’s stay ready, stay informed, and keep Watsonville safe.
Find additional resources anytime on our Emergency Preparedness page: watsonville.gov