Emergency Preparedness

Preparing for Stormy Weather
Preparation is key to staying safe and minimizing impacts in case of a storm. Find out how the City of Watsonville prepares for inclement weather year after year and what you can do to be ready this season.

How the City is Preparing

Our departments coordinate every year to prepare for stormy weather. Below are some of the things our different crews do to stay ready:

• Maintaining flood channels and storm drains free of debris to prevent flooding 
• Increasing street sweeping to prepare our streets for rains
• Training staff to respond in case of emergency 
• Cleaning storm lines and conducting routine pump maintenance checks

Protect Your Household- How to Prepare

Conditions can change very quickly so it is imperative to take steps and prepare for emergencies ahead of time. These are some steps you can take to prepare your household ahead of difficult weather. 

• Keep storm drains and your property’s drainage clear
• Report clogged drains to Customer Service at customerservice@watsonville.gov or
  (831) 768-3133
• Make an emergency/evacuation plan with your family or household 
• Prepare emergency supplies: 
  • Copies of important documents & prescriptions in waterproof containers
  • Essential medications
  • Water, flashlights, batteries
  • First aid kit
  • Cash in small bills
• Move and Store valuable items in your home in waterproof containers above the ground and lower level
• Prepare for Power Outages
  • FEMA's Guide to be Prepared for a Power Outage
  • Red Cross Power Outage Preparedness

Know Your Emergency Terminology

Shelter In Place
In an emergency, first responders may tell you to shelter-in-place. A Shelter-in-Place Order means to stay inside or go in the nearest building during an incident. It is a way for you to stay as safe as possible until the emergency is over. Please remain indoors until the Shelter-in-Place Order is lifted.
Evacuation Warning	Evacuation Warning Lifted
There is a potential threat to life and/or property. You are not required to leave your home or the area but should be ready to do so quickly if conditions change. An Evacuation Warning can quickly change to an Evacuation Order. Being prepared to leave when ordered will minimize risks to you and your property. We will use the best available data to give residents notice so they prepare and leave while it is safe to do so.	The potential threat to life and/or property has ceased and no evacuation order was necessary. You no longer need to be ready to leave.
Evacuation Order	Evacuation Order Lifted
There is an immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to leave now. Choosing not to evacuate puts you and your family at risk and will delay rescue operations. If possible, inform your neighbors of the Evacuation Order. You are expected to find temporary shelter elsewhere. For information on local shelters and available resources, visit watsonville.gov The area is lawfully closed to public access and residents may not return until first responders lift the Evacuation Order.	The immediate threat to life has ceased. Residents are allowed to return home.

Obtain and Set Up Sandbags 

Limited quantities of sandbags are provided for free to Watsonville residents at the two self-serve locations below:

• Joyce McKenzie Park, 500 Joyce Drive
• Fire Station 1, 115 2nd Street 

Get sandbags as soon as you think you may need them — do not wait until the last minute. Watch the video below to see how to properly fill, carry, and set up sandbags around your home.

Find out if you Live in the Special Flood Hazard Area

If you live in a floodplain, your home may be at higher risk of flooding. Find out now if your home is in a Special Flood Hazard Area by contacting our Community Development Department at (831) 768-3050 or stopping by their office at 250 Main Street, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. You will need to provide your street address.