Storm Preparedness Guide

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Get Ready, Be Prepared

Want the full guide as a PDF, including printable forms? Download the Storm Preparedness Guide 2026 (PDF)

BEFORE – Preparing for a Storm or Flood

Make a plan for your household, including your pets, so that you and your family know what to do, where to go, and what you will need to protect yourselves from flooding. Learn and practice evacuation routes, shelter plans, and flash flood response. Gather supplies, including non-perishable foods, cleaning supplies, and water for several days, in case you must leave immediately or if services are cut off in your area.

Planning for Seniors

In the United States, the number of seniors is constantly increasing. From 2007 to 2017, the number of adults aged 60 and over increased from 52 million to 71 million. As of 2016, 12.5% of Orange County’s population is 65 and older, which is projected to double by 2040 when almost one in four residents will be 65 or older.

With such a large aging population, seniors need to be prepared for any disaster situation with different measures depending on their personal state of health, and what they would need in the event of a disaster.

Seniors with disabilities should take extra precautions to prepare in advance. Emergency kits for seniors and those with disabilities should last for seven days, and a strong support network is critical.

Planning for Those with Disabilities, Access and Functional Needs

For Orange County citizens with physical, medical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities, any emergency from floods to wildfires can prove a significant challenge.

If you or someone close to you has a disability and other access and functional needs, you may need to take additional steps to protect yourself and your family in an emergency. Discuss these ideas with your family, friends, caregiver, or anyone else in your support network.

Download the American Red Cross’ Preparedness Guide for People with Disabilities and Access and Functional Needs.

Build a Kit

Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
Whistle to signal for help
N95 respirator masks or cloth face masks for each family member
Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
Maps for Orange, Los Angeles, and San Diego counties
Cell phone with chargers
Any prescription medication you (or a family member) requires on a daily basis

Expanded Emergency Kit Items

If you have children:

Infant formula and diapers
Children’s prescription medications
Books, games, puzzles, or other activities for children

If you have pets:

Pet food and extra water for your pet
Extra leashes/collars

Special needs:

Prescription medications and glasses
Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items

Additional items to consider:

Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification, and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
Cash or traveler’s checks and change
Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
Complete change of clothing including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes
Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – when diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
Fire extinguisher
Matches in a waterproof container
Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
Paper and pencil

In Case of Emergency

Keep important documents in a waterproof container. Create password-protected digital copies. Protect your property. Move valuables to higher levels. Declutter drains and gutters. Install check valves. Consider a sump pump with a battery.

Sign Up for Text Alerts

ReadyOC works hand-in-hand with AlertOC, a mass notification system, to alert Orange County residents during a disaster. This system is designed to keep Orange County, California residents and businesses informed of emergencies that may require immediate life-saving actions.

By registering with AlertOC, time-sensitive voice messages from the County, or City in which you live, may be sent to your home, cell, or business phone. Agency test messages may also be sent to your cell phone to ensure the system is working accurately before a disaster.

AlertOC can also send out messages to email accounts and TTY devices as well. AlertOC is operated by the County of Orange in collaboration with local cities.

Sign up for emergency alerts at www.AlertOC.org

Get Power Outage Alerts – Outage and PSPS Alerts for SCE Customers

Find out when an outage of any kind may affect your neighborhood. Go to the Preference Center in My Account and choose to receive alerts by email, text, or voice call.

https://www.sce.com/outages-safety/outage-center/get-alerts

Sandbags – Available to Westminster Residents

Use sandbags in areas known for flooding around your property.

Most home improvement stores have sandbags for sale. During inclement weather, sandbags are available to City of Westminster residents on a first-come, first-served basis. Sandbags are limited to 12 per resident and you must show identification.

During inclement weather, sandbags are available at the City of Westminster Municipal Corporation Yard. Sandbags are limited to 12 bags per resident.

Westminster Municipal Corporation Yard
14381 Olive Street
Westminster, CA 92683
(714) 895-2876
Monday – Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Residents are asked to bring identification showing proof of residency. If you have any questions, please call the City Yard at (714) 895-2876.

Important Considerations During Heavy Rain Events

Park vehicles and put waste containers one foot away from the curb so storm water can flow unobstructed.
Trim trees and landscaping as needed to ensure that branches and limbs are clear of your structure and clear from overhead power lines (contact Southern California Edison at 1-800-655-4555 if trees have grown over or around power lines on your property).
Secure outdoor furniture and other loose items from causing damage during periods of heavy winds.
Make sure your yard does not have large bare areas which could be sources for mudflows during a storm. The fall is a good time to put down mulch and establish many native plants; it may be possible to vegetate these bare areas before the storm season.
Visually inspect nearby storm drains, before the storm season and after every rain; if the storm drains are obstructed, clear the material from the drain or notify the Public Works Department at (714) 895-2876.
Buy flood insurance if you live in a flood zone. You should contact your property/casualty agent or company about flood insurance, which is offered through the National Flood Insurance Program. Keep your insurance policies and a list of personal property in a safe place, such as a safe deposit box. Know the name, phone number, and location of the agent(s) who issued your policy.
Make an itemized list of personal property. Photograph your home – inside and out. These will assist your insurance adjuster in settling claims and will help prove uninsured losses, which are tax deductible.
Modify or remove any landings, sidewalks, driveways that are too high or slope towards the building. Drains can be installed in some cases.
Inspect and repair roof covering, such as missing or cracked shingles and tiles. Inspect and repair flashing of roof, including valley flashing, vents and the chimney. Flashing prevents water from entering the building at any gaps or breaks. Clean roof gutters and downspouts. Inspect and repair any damage. Inspect and repair the chimney for any cracks caused by any previous earthquakes.
Inspect and replace caulking that is loose or damaged around windows, doors, sliding glass doors, wall vents and other penetrations. Inspect weather seals around doors and make necessary adjustments or replace. If wind can enter through these cracks, then wind driven rain can enter.
Remove any objects that may block water from flowing away from the perimeter of the building. Remove items such as piles of wood and landscaping debris adjacent to exterior walls.
Clean any lawn, landscaping or wood bark that may cover drain inlets.
Clean underground patio drains, yard drains and retaining wall drains. Make sure the underground drain directs water towards the street.
Inspect yard swales and remove any obstructions that would prevent water from draining to the street. Fences are often built across swales that prevent water from flowing to the street. Water must have a way of draining from buildings and towards the street.
Remove any objects and debris that could be washed into the storm drain inlet. If the inlet becomes blocked, water could back up onto the property. Stock a small quantity of caulking and roof repair patch material for temporary emergency repair.

If you suspect damage could occur, keep a list of plumbers’ and repairmen’s phone numbers in a handy location.

DURING – When the Event Is Occurring

Safety is the most important consideration. Since floodwaters can rise very rapidly, you should be prepared to evacuate before the water level reaches your property. Keep the following in mind:

Have a battery-powered radio tuned to a local station, such as KNX 1070, and follow emergency instructions. Be prepared to evacuate if necessary.
Be extremely cautious when driving. Do not attempt to drive through moving water. Follow all emergency traffic instructions.
If you are caught in your home, office, or other areas by rising waters, move to the second floor or the roof as necessary. Take warm clothing, a flashlight, and a portable radio with you. Then wait for help – don’t try to swim to safety. Rescue teams will look for you.
Evacuate immediately, if told to evacuate. Never drive around barricades. Local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas.
Contact your healthcare provider if you are sick and need medical attention. Wait for further care instructions and shelter in place, if possible. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.
Listen to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio or local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions regarding flooding.
Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn around. Don’t drown!
Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. Fast-moving water can wash bridges away without warning.
Stay inside your car if it is trapped in rapidly moving water. Get on the roof if water is rising inside the car.
Get to the highest level if trapped in a building. Only get on the roof if necessary, and once there, signal for help by blowing a whistle, waving arms, or yelling. Do not climb into a closed attic to avoid getting trapped by rising floodwater.

Precautionary Steps If Time Permits

Turn off all utilities at the main power switch and close the main gas valve if evacuation is likely. Do not touch any electrical equipment unless it is in a dry area and you are standing on a piece of dry wood while wearing rubber gloves and rubber-soled boots or shoes.
Move valuables to upper floors or higher elevations.
Fill bathtubs, sinks, and jugs with clean water in case regular supplies are contaminated. You can sanitize these items by first rinsing with bleach.
Bring outdoor possessions inside the house or tie them down securely. This includes lawn furniture, garbage cans, tools, signs, and other movable objects that might be swept away or hurled about.
When outside the house, remember, floods are deceptive. Avoid flooded roads, and don’t attempt to walk through floodwaters.

If Safe to Evacuate by Car, You Should Consider the Following

Stock the car with nonperishable foods (like canned goods), a plastic container of water, blankets, first aid kit, flashlights, dry clothing, and any special medication needed by your family.
Keep the gas tank at least half full since gasoline pumps will not be working if the electricity is cut off.
Do not drive where the water is over the roads. Parts of the road may already be washed out.
If your car stalls in a flooded area, abandon it as soon as possible. Floodwaters can rise rapidly and sweep a car (and its occupants) away. Many deaths have resulted from attempts to move stalled vehicles.

AFTER – When It Is Safe

Pay attention to authorities for information and instructions.
Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
Avoid driving except in emergencies.
Wear heavy work gloves, protective clothing and boots during clean-up, and use appropriate face coverings or masks if cleaning mold or other debris.
People with asthma and other lung conditions and/or immune suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen or smelled. Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work.
Be aware that snakes and other animals may be in your house.
Be aware of the risk of electrocution. Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. Turn off the electricity to prevent electric shock if it is safe to do so.
Avoid wading in floodwater, which can be contaminated and contain dangerous debris. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge the water.
Use a generator or other gasoline-powered machinery ONLY outdoors and away from windows.

After a Flood – Steps You Can Take

If your home or business has suffered flood damage, immediately call the agent or company who handles your flood insurance policy. The agent will then submit a loss form to the National Flood Insurance Program. An adjuster will be assigned to inspect your property as soon as possible.
Prior to entering a building, check for structural damage. Make sure it is not in danger of collapsing.
Turn off any outside gas lines at the meter or tank. If you smell gas, call your utility company immediately.
Upon entering the building, do not use an open flame as a source of light since gas may still be trapped inside – use a battery-operated flashlight.
Watch for downed electrical wires. Make certain that the main power switch is turned off. Do not turn on any lights or appliances until an electrician has checked the system for short circuits.
Cover broken windows and holes in the roof or walls to prevent further weather damage.
Proceed with immediate clean-up measures to prevent any health hazards. Perishable items pose a health problem and should be listed and photographed before discarding. Throw out fresh food and medicines that have come in contact with flood waters.
Water for drinking and food preparation should be used only if the public water system has been declared safe. In an emergency, water may be obtained by draining a hot water tank or melting ice cubes.
Take pictures of the damage to your building and contents. Refrigerators, sofas and other hard goods should be hosed off and kept for the adjuster’s inspection. Use a household cleanser to clean items to be kept. Any partially damaged items should be dried and aired; the adjuster will make recommendations as to repair or disposal.
Take all wooden furniture outdoors to dry but keep it out of direct sunlight to prevent warping. A garage or carport is a good place for drying. Remove drawers and other moving parts as soon as possible, but do not pry open swollen drawers from the front. Instead, remove the backing and push the drawers out.
Shovel out mud while it is still moist to give walls and floors a chance to dry. Place mud on the lawn and not in the gutter. Once plastered walls have dried, brush off loose dirt. Wash with household cleanser and rinse with clean water; always start at the bottom and work up. Ceilings are done last. Special attention must also be paid to cleaning out heating ducts and plumbing systems.
Mildew can be removed from dry wood with a solution of 1 cup liquid chlorine bleach in 1 gallon of water.
Clean metal at once, then wipe with a kerosene-soaked cloth. A light coat of oil will prevent iron from rusting. Scour all utensils, and, if necessary, use fine steel wool on unpolished surfaces. Aluminum may be brightened by scrubbing with a solution of vinegar, cream of tartar, and hot water.
Clothing or household fabrics should be allowed to dry (slowly, away from direct heat) before brushing off loose dirt. If you cannot get a professional cleaner, rinse the items in lukewarm water to remove lodged soil. Then wash with mild detergent; rinse and dry in sunlight.
Drain and clean flooded basements carefully. Structural damage will occur if water is pumped out too quickly. After the floodwaters around your property have subsided, begin draining the basement in stages, about one-third of the water volume each day.

Get Help

Any emergency situation causes stress. You are not alone.

If you or someone you know needs immediate assistance, simply dial 2-1-1 or search for local health and human services resources.

Visit: www.211oc.org

For additional emergency preparedness information, including translated material, use the following links:

Fill in these forms and share them as photos with family:

American Red Cross Emergency Contact Card
American Red Cross Family Disaster Plan Template – included in the full Storm Preparedness Guide 2026 (PDF)

Storm Preparedness Checklist

Print out this basic checklist to help get ready for winter storms.

Register your cell phone for emergency notifications from AlertOC.
Check your roof for leaks, especially around flashing where many leaks occur. Clear your gutters and downspouts.
Clear culverts and maintain proper drainage around your property. If you have changed to drought-tolerant landscaping, your drainage patterns may have changed.
If dry, repaint the wood trim on your home. Paint is a barrier against water intrusion. Check window glazing for leaks, and re-glaze if needed.
Check your property for proper grading and surfacing, including making sure water runs away from walls.
Have shovels, sandbags, plastic sheeting and other emergency equipment on hand. Store in a dry, accessible location.
Sandbags aren’t the only thing that divert water. Straw-waddle landscaping tubing and even bags of dirt can direct water away from structures. Make sure you have them on hand.
Check stressed trees by calling in an arborist if you have concerns. The drought has been hard on trees, and sudden rains are likely to fell more than a few. For trees in the right-of-way, contact the appropriate agency.
Secure yard furniture, especially items that might blow away and cause damage during a storm.
Scan important documents and put on a flash drive or in the cloud. Store the drive in a safe location.
Secure important family items, such as photographs, jewelry, mementos, etc.
Prepare a family disaster plan and family disaster kit. For more information, go to https://www.readyoc.com/make-a-plan
Consider flood insurance, even if you are not in a high-risk area.
If you have a well, ensure that the well head area is clean, clear and sealed. Remove dirt and leaf litter from the well pad and around the well head.
If your property is prone to power outages, consider a small generator.
If you have below-ground areas, consider a sump pump. If you already have one, make sure it is working.
If you use an automatic watering system, turn it off during the rainy season.
Consider a rain barrel to catch water. We’re still in a drought, and most local water agencies offer them at low cost.
Make your house pest-proof if ants and other pests invade your home during rainy weather.
Check your car tires for wear. Purchase new tires if needed.
Buy new windshield wipers if needed.
Make sure your automobile’s lights are working.
Make sure your vehicle’s brakes are in good working order.

Stay Prepared and Ready for Disaster. We Are Here to Help.

Follow the City of Westminster on social media for storm updates.