We all benefit from preparing for disasters — and we all have different needs. Whether you're caring for children, seniors, pets, or managing medical conditions or disabilities, your plan should fit your life.

The important thing is to start. You don’t have to do it all at once. It’s okay to prepare step by step — every small action adds up and makes you more resilient.

Whether you Stay (shelter in place) or Go (evacuate), being prepared can make all the difference. These tips will help you build a plan that works for your situation:

• Get alerts
• Make a plan
• Create a go bag & assemble a box
• Make a plan for pets and service animals
• Keep important documents accessible and protected
• Identify evacuation routes and shelter options

Start today—even one step forward is progress. Your safety and the safety of those you care about are worth the effort.

Click here to find your zone.

What Are Evacuation Zones?

San Luis Obispo County public safety agencies have worked together to divide the county into pre-established evacuation zones. These evacuation zones will assist first responders in more quickly determining evacuation areas during an emergency. These new zones will also allow the public to easily identify if they are in an area under an Evacuation Warning or Evacuation Order. These zones are intended for emergencies that require large-scale evacuations.

Evacuation Zones vs. Protective Action Zones

These new evacuation zones are different than the Protective Action Zones (PAZ) established for emergencies at the Diablo Canyon Power Plant.  The 12 Protective Action Zones are much larger in size and are specifically designed for an emergency at Diablo Canyon when evacuation or shelter in place may be directed. The PAZs are still in place and would be used during a nuclear power plant emergency.  These new evacuation zones would be used during other emergencies

Know Your Evacuation Zones

To save time during an emergency, it is important for residents to know your evacuation zone in advance. Enter your address into the map tool below. The tool will tell you your zone name. It is important to write down the zone name and post it in a location easily accessible in an emergency.

Each zone has a description of the zone with the name, borders, current status, and additional information.  Additional information may also be provided. 

If an Evacuation Order or Warning is ordered, emergency officials will utilize alert and notification methods such as Wireless Emergency Alerts and Reverse 911 to notify residents which zones are affected. Knowing your evacuation zone will allow you to respond more quickly. 

How to Find Your Zone

1. Click here to find your zone. Use the search bar on the upper left hand side to type in your address. Click enter, or select the appropriate address from the drop-down list that will appear.
2. Your results will show your Protective Action Zone (PAZ) if you live in the Emergency Planning Zone for Diablo Canyon Power Plant (this will be a PAZ 1 - 12 number).
3. Your results will also show your Evacuation Zone for non-Diablo Canyon emergencies (wildfires, etc.)
4. The  map will also show you a visual of your zone for reference.  To zoom in, use the +/- sign on the top right.
5. Other questions? See the Frequently Asked Questions by clicking here.

In a disaster you need to know what to do, where to go, and when. Sign up to get alerts from trusted local agencies:

• ReadySLO.org tells you when you need to take action to be safe
• AlertSLO is a new system that will provide important information, such as severe weather, major highway closures, planned power outages, or other emergency related information.  Although this system will also be utilized if protective action orders and warnings are issued, the system will focus on lower-level emergency related information.  These messages are sent by the Office of Emergency Services to registered devices, cell phones, or email alerting them of important emergency-related information.  User can select the type of information they want to be notified of when they sign up.  
• PG&E alerts notify you when a public safety power outage might occur (you can sign up even if you are not an account holder)

Learn more about Alerts & Notifications.

Know who you will rely on and who relies on you.

• Establish an out-of-area contact and share your plan with the people you care about
• Write down important phone numbers (if you lose your cell phone or you can’t charge it)
• Choose a meeting place in case your family gets separated
• If you have pets, click here.
• If you have kids, click here.

Gather supplies and pack a bag to take if you have to evacuate. If you have to leave quickly, you may only have minutes to collect items, so pack a Go Bag now. Everyone in your household, including your pets, needs a Go Bag.

Gather supplies and assemble a box in case you have to shelter at home. 

• Be prepared to shelter in place for 5-7 days
• Store food, water, and extra medications
• Know how and when to turn off your gas and water

When a disaster occurs and people need help, neighbors turn to neighbors.

• Meet your neighbors now and share information, prepare, and train together
• Join a Neighborhood Liaison Group 
• A community that knows each other is more resilient during and after a disaster

Learn more about Neighborhood Liaison Groups.

The ReadySLO.org website is full of helpful information and additional checklists for preparing.