California · Preparedness Guide
Wildfires that destroy entire neighborhoods overnight, earthquakes along 800 miles of fault, atmospheric river floods, and a drought that never fully ends — California's hazard spectrum is unlike any other state.
About this guide
California contains multitudes of hazard profiles. The Bay Area sits directly on the Hayward and San Andreas faults — a major earthquake is not a question of if but when. Los Angeles's Santa Ana wind-driven fire season now runs year-round — the January 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires destroyed 16,000+ structures and killed 28 people in a metropolitan area of 10 million. Northern California's Camp Fire (2018) wiped Paradise off the map. Atmospheric rivers dump catastrophic rainfall on burn scars and create debris flows that bury highways. The Central Valley faces the most severe drought conditions in a thousand years. And a Cascadia Subduction Zone event or Pacific tsunami could affect the entire coastline. Find your ZIP to see what applies where you live.
Local self-reliance starts with knowing your place.
Quick facts
Top hazards: Wildfires, Earthquakes, Drought & Water Supply
CA has expanded Medicaid — adults up to 138% FPL may qualify
USDA hardiness zones: 5a (Sierra Nevada highlands) to 11a (Death Valley / Coachella Valley)
Unemployment: up to $450/week for 26 weeks
Free or low-cost soil testing available through the state extension service
Seven topics, one state
Each section focuses on one question. Find what you need without wading through what you don't.
Official maps and tools for flood, fire, earthquake, water, dam, river, and local hazard awareness.
Am I at risk? →
Find nearby courses, extension programs, and emergency training that build practical skills.
Where do I learn? →
Connect with local gatherings, neighbor-help efforts, civic groups, and community support networks.
What's happening near me? →
Find official alerts, emergency agencies, trauma centers, and crisis-response information near you.
Who do I call? →
Use local frost dates, planting zones, soil data, extension calendars, and composting guidance.
What can I grow? →
Find food, utility, health, unemployment, and 211 resources before hardship becomes crisis.
Where can I find help? →
Find your county transit provider, demand-response ride service, and carpool matching options.
How do I get around? →
Simple step-by-step preparedness checklists for your home, family, garden, documents, and local risks.
What do I do next? →
Get specific
Enter your ZIP code to see real-time weather alerts, drought conditions, FEMA disaster declarations, and county-level resources.
Next steps
Know your risks
Flood zones, hazard maps, and the CA risks that apply to your county.
Local Risk ReadinessBuild the basics
The universal first step — before you personalize, get the 72-hour foundation in place.
First 72 Hours