How should I prepare for an emergency in SF?

Happy 2025, fellow San Franciscans! Life in the Bay has been dreamy lately with gorgeous sunrises and sunsets — which makes me not want to think about an emergency in SF at all! That being said, there have been earthquakes, fires, tsunami warnings, and even a tornado warning in recent times. Also, do you remember the day the sky turned orange? Especially given the incredibly sad devastation from the LA fires, it’s a good idea to appreciate the beauty we get to enjoy but also be prepared in case. Here is a quick and easy guide to getting emergency-ready just in case.

1. Know Your Risks

Earthquakes: Remember, the Bay Area is earthquake central. San Francisco is near several active fault lines, including the San Andreas, Hayward, Calaveras, Rodgers Creek, and San Gregorio faults. Your dwelling could be in a liquefaction zone, meaning it was built on landfill and the ground may not be stable in the case of a bad quake. You can check your address here. Drop, Cover, and Hold On when the ground shakes, and don’t forget to bolt heavy furniture to walls. Please also keep in mind that San Francisco is at high fire risk if there is a bad earthquake.
Wildfires: The smoke can creep in even if the fires are far away. Invest in an air purifier and N95 masks. My favorite air purifier is from Coway (affiliate link) and I have been using them for many years. Pro tip: Check air quality with the PurpleAir map before planning outdoor activities.
Flooding: San Francisco used to have various river beds which are susceptible to floods when we have heavy rain. Check your address on the 100 year flood map.
Tsunamis: Rare, but they can happen. Know if you’re in a tsunami zone and plan your high-ground escape route.
Tornados: Increasingly unpredictable weather has also made other natural disasters like tornados a possibility. Get inside and go to the lowest level with no windows, and cover your head! If outside, lie flat . If in a car, find shelter or get low to the ground. Stay informed!

2. Pack a Go-Bag (Seriously, Do It)

You don’t need to go full doomsday, but having a ready-to-go emergency bag is key. I know I was definitely thankful there wasn’t an actual tornado that materialized in San Francisco because all I did was go downstairs and sit there in my PJs because my brain wasn’t functioning. For my future self, I will try to remember to grab my Go-Bag. I linked to some items below on Amazon that I purchased myself for my Go-Bag (please note that they are affiliate links to help support this site) but feel free to get what you prefer.

Here’s what you’ll want to include:

Essentials: Copies of ID, cash ($1 or $5 small bills), insurance info, photos of your family and pets (in case you get separated), and a list of emergency contacts (printable sheet here).
Food & Water: Non-perishable snacks (Clif Bars), metal or collapsible water bottle / emergency water packets. Remember food and water, harness/leash, treats, toys and such for your pets if you have them. FEMA recommends a 3 day supply.
First Aid Kit: Band-aids, antiseptic wipes, any prescription meds, and basic first aid tools.
Clothing: A change of clothes and a warm layer or sweatshirt (hello, SF nights). You might want to keep a comfy pair of shoes in a designated spot so you can rush out the door with them.
Toiletry kit: Toilet paper, soap, toothbrush / toothpaste, hand sanitizer, female monthly things, etc.).
Tech: Phone charger, portable battery pack, and a headlight / flashlight (plus extra batteries).
Extras: N95 dust masks (for wildfire smoke), a whistle (for getting found), and a multi-tool/jack knife.
Local Maps and Compass: Do you know how to read a map anymore? I’ll admit I haven’t used one in years, but your cell signal and Google / Apple Maps may stop working. Get some local maps and a compass to help you get around.

3. Build a Home Emergency Kit

This is your stay-put stash for when you’re sheltering in place:

Enough food and water for at least 7 days. I got some MREs that last 30 years.
Lighter / Waterproof Matches: You never know when you will need some backup old-school light. I purchased a pack of Bic lighters but a waterproof jar of matches is also helpful.
Good old-fashioned radio when the cell towers go down.
Additional Hygiene supplies: Toilet paper/wipes, soap, toothbrush / toothpaste, hand sanitizer, female monthly things, female urination device, etc.
Solar-powered chargers / power inverter for longer-term power supply
Water filtration and iodine tablets
Tarp / Blanket / Sleeping bag: You can get Mylar blankets or a Myler-style BIVY / sleeping bag in case you need to sleep somewhere. This material is thin, lightweight, and doesn’t look like much but it will keep you warm. San Francisco nights are chilly.
Tools to shut off gas, water, or electricity if needed for your dwelling. This is a 4-in-1 wrench.

You should also set a calendar reminder to regularly update your Go-Bag / Home Emergency kit and review if anything has expired.

4. Have a Communication Plan

When cell towers are overloaded, you’ll need a backup plan:

Designate an out-of-town contact everyone can call to check in.
Plan out an evacuation route.
Learn how to send texts when calls fail—they often go through first. Apple recently added SOS calling for iPhones, which might be helpful for emergencies.
Write down important numbers. Yes, on actual paper.
Request a window sticker to help firefighters understand if your pet(s) might be trapped in your dwelling

5. Stay Informed

San Francisco has several resources for staying ahead of disasters:

AlertSF: Sign up for free text alerts for local emergencies.
MyShake: Download the MyShake app for early earthquake warnings.
SF72: The city’s go-to site for updating disaster news. It also provides disaster prep tips. You can follow their Twitter account for updates.
Ready.gov: Ready.gov is from the US Government and they have a lot of resources you can use for additional disaster prep.

6. Practice Makes Perfect

Do a quick family or roommate drill. International ShakeOut day is on October 16th if you’d like to participate in an annual, organized earthquake drill. Practice where you’ll go, how you’ll communicate, and who’s in charge of your pet(s).

7. Get Involved

Want to go above and beyond? You can help yourself and others during a disaster when you join SF NERT (Neighborhood Emergency Response Team). They provide free training sessions.

With a little prep, you can rest easier knowing you’re ready for whatever Mother Nature throws our way. Stay safe out there, friends!

Got questions or tips? Drop them in the comments—I’m all ears.