Emergency Preparedness

Emergency preparedness for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers.

Be Ready. Know What to Do. Know Where to Turn.

Emergencies can happen at any time. A little preparation now can help you stay safe, connected and prepared when you need it most.

You don’t have to do everything at once. Start with one or two steps today.

Your Three County Resources

GET READY

Prepare for emergencies, build a plan and learn about hazards that could affect you.
ready.lacounty.gov

GET ALERTS

Sign up to receive emergency notifications and learn about other ways to stay informed.
alert.lacounty.gov

GET UPDATES

Find current information during an active emergency, including important County updates and resources.
lacounty.gov/emergency

A.D. Brief: Prepare Video Series

Our A.D. Brief video series provides short, easy-to-follow tips to help older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers prepare for emergencies.

Topics include emergency plans, medications, power outages, emergency kits, transportation, evacuation and checking on others.

Watch • Bookmark • Share

Help Us Improve the A.D. Brief Videos - Share Your Feedback or Questions

Have a question about one of our videos or an idea for a future topic?

Share your questions, feedback or suggestions via this form to help us make our emergency preparedness videos more useful to you.

Start With These 6 Steps

You don’t need to prepare for everything at once. Start here:

1. Get Connected

Make sure you can receive emergency information and that people who may help you know how to reach you.
Learn more about emergency alerts → alert.lacounty.gov

Download the County’s Emergency Survival Guide (available in multiple languages) →  ready.lacounty.gov/emergency-survival-guide

2. Build Your Support Network

Identify two or three people who can check on you before, during and after an emergency.
Get tips for building your support network →

3. Make a Plan That Works for You

Think about your medications, equipment, transportation, communication and other daily needs.

Learn More → ready.lacounty.gov/have-a-plan

Use this template to start making your plan today.

4. Build Your Emergency Kit

Include the supplies you actually use, including medications, medical supplies, assistive equipment and backup power.

Build your emergency kit →   ready.lacounty.gov/disaster-supply-kits  or  ready.gov/kit

Build a kit for under $25 (video) →

5. Make a Medication Plan

Keep a current medication list and know what you will do if your pharmacy, transportation or usual services are unavailable.
Medication Kit: 3 Ways to Prepare

6. Plan for a Power Outage

If you rely on electricity for medical or assistive equipment, make a backup-power plan before an outage happens.
Power outage preparedness resources → ready.lacounty.gov/power-outage

The County’s Ready L.A. County site has more information to help people who need special assistance prepare.
Download the “Stay Safe, Stay in Control” Guide in English, Spanish, Chinese–Simplified or Chinese Traditional.

Ready for Rain

Heavy rain can bring flooding, road closures, power outages and other hazards.

For Countywide information about preparing for rain, flooding and storms:

Rain & Storm Preparedness – Ready L.A. County / Rain

For older adults and people with disabilities

Before a storm, consider:

Helpful AD & County Resources

Ready for Rain: Emergency Preparedness for Older Adults & People with Disabilities

Two-page handout with practical preparedness tips.

Emergency Preparedness Presentation

Use this presentation to bring preparedness information to your community.

El Nino Fact Sheet

Use this fact sheet to understand El Nino better. 

Understanding the risk of debris and mudflows (Prepare your Home)

It is important for residents who live in areas susceptible to debris and mudflows, such as those on steep hillsides and in canyons, to be prepared for the possibility of such events.  ready.lacounty.gov/mudslides

Download the Homeowner’s Guide 

Earthquake Safety: Know What to Do

Earthquakes can happen without warning. Knowing how to protect yourself can help you stay safer.

Drop, Cover and Hold On.

Get low, protect your head and neck, and take cover under sturdy furniture if possible.

If you use a wheelchair or other mobility device, lock the wheels, bend forward if possible, and protect your head and neck with your arms or another available covering.

Plan ahead.

Think about how you will protect yourself and access essential medications, equipment and support after an earthquake.

Get earthquake alerts:

The free MyShake app can send earthquake early-warning alerts in California when available.

Alerts may give you only a few seconds to take protective action before shaking begins. Not every earthquake will trigger an alert. Do not wait for an alert to take protective action.

Learn About MyShake and Download the App

Learn More About Earthquake Safety

During an Emergency

When an emergency is happening, go to the County’s emergency information page for the latest information and instructions. 

lacounty.gov/emergency

For emergency assistance, call 911.

For information and referrals to health and human services, disaster resources centers, shelters, etc., call 2-1-1.

If you receive an evacuation order, follow official instructions and leave when directed.

Emergency Alert System (EAS): Where to Tune In

If phone service or internet access is unavailable, turn on a battery-powered or hand-crank radio to listen for emergency information. Emergency Alert System (EAS) messages may also interrupt regular radio and television programming with urgent instructions and updates.

For L.A. County emergency broadcasts, tune in to these local radio stations:

Tip: Keep a battery-powered radio and extra batteries in your emergency kit so you can receive updates during a power outage.

Note: Radio and television stations may carry EAS messages depending on the type and location of the emergency. Follow official instructions when they are issued.

After an Emergency

Continue to follow official instructions and check for updates.

If you need help finding health or human services, call 2-1-1.

For information about Aging & Disabilities programs and services:  Email: info@ad.lacounty.gov

Helpful County & Other Contacts & Phone Numbers

Know who to contact when you need help. Use the resources below to report hazards, find local public safety services or get help during an emergency. Some services vary by city and location.

Life-threatening emergency: Call 911 for police, fire or medical emergencies.

American Red Cross: (888)864-3575  redcrossla.org     (Shelter Assistance)

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): (888)864-3575  fema.gov   (Citizen & First Responder crisis support during disasters).

L.A. County Sheriff’s Department: (323) 526-5541  lasd.org     (Community & Personal Protection)

L.A. County Fire Department: (323) 881-2481  fire.lacounty.gov    (Fires, emergency medical attention, and damaged structures)

L.A. County Department of Public Works (800) 675-4357 ladpw.org     (Road Closures in L.A. County)

L.A. County Office of Emergency Management: (213) 974-1166   ceo.lacounty.gov/emergency-management    (Emergency Planning and Preparedness)

L.A. County Department of Mental Health (811) 854-7771    dmh.lacounty.gov   (Mental Health Services for disaster victims)

211 LA   (2-1-1)    211la.org  (Conects to L.A. County resources. Provides referrals, response, and recovery assistance during disasters)

Spread the Word on Social Media

Aging & Disabilities Department (AD) Handles:

• Facebook & Instagram: @LACounty4AD
• X (Twitter), BlueSky, & LinkedIn: @LACountyAD

Use Relevant Hashtags

#ADBrief

#LACounty

#ReadyForRain

#EmergencyPreparedness

#OlderAdults

#DisabilityPreparedness

Join Us

Are you an organization serving older adults and people with disabilities in unincorporated Los Angeles County?

Contact us if you would like to use L.A. County’s presentation material to prepare older adults, people with disabilities and their caregivers for emergencies.

Email press@ad.lacounty.gov and use the Subject Line “Emergency Preparedeness Presentation – Request”

Sample Social Posts

Are you ready for an emergency? A few simple steps today can make a difference when you need them most.

📺 Check out A.D. Brief, #LACountyAD’s short video series with practical emergency preparedness tips for older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers and the people who support them.

Learn how to prepare for power outages, organize medications, build an emergency kit, plan for evacuation and more.

▶️ Watch, bookmark and share!

#ADBrief #EmergencyPreparedness #ReadyForRain #LACounty

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🌧️ Ready for Rain? Prepare before the next storm.

Heavy rain and other emergencies can disrupt transportation, power and everyday services. Planning ahead can help you stay safe and connected.

#LACountyAD has gathered practical tips and resources for older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers and the community, including a Ready for Rain handout and emergency preparedness videos.

Start preparing today. Know where to get ready, sign up for alerts and find official #LACounty updates.

🔗 Visit: ad.lacounty.gov/ready

#ReadyForRain #EmergencyPreparedness  #DisabilityPreparedness #OlderAdults

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