Emergency Preparedness Planning

When a disaster strikes you will not have much time to figure out what you need to do. You need to plan now so that you have the ability to safely respond to the disaster. Discuss with your family what you will do during and immediately after a major disaster, regardless of where you may be when the disaster occurs.

Riding Out a Disaster

Can you go without communications alone for three days? Would you be ready to ride it out if an earthquake hit today? Would you be self-sufficient if a power outage or flood event hits Yountville and all of Napa County? In the event of a major incident, our residents need to assume there could be limited help in the initial hours before emergency first-responders from outside the area arrive to help our Town and provide support to our Sheriff's Office and CalFire Department.

The best thing you can do is to be prepared so that you can take care of yourself, your loved ones, and your neighbors. Check out our 7 Ps for Preparedness (PDF) list so you can be ready to take action. Then prepare a plan, print it out, and share it with the members of your household. Make sure to discuss it and update your plan regularly.

Visit our Emergency Shelter page to know where to go to gather information. You should build and have ready your home Emergency Kit to ride an emergency. You may also want to have a Mini-Survival Emergency Kit (PDF) for your car and for work.

First, Take Care of Loved Ones

Learn how to protect your family by reading the Family Emergency Plan Worksheet (PDF) and the Caregiver Checklist (PDF). Review both with those who care for your family in your absence.

Don't forget to also have a Disaster Plan for Your Pet (PDF).

Get Alerts - Stay Informed!

Before an emergency, create an account with Alert Napa County powered by Everbridge on your web browser or phone. Instructions, including for evacuations are issues through Alert Napa County. More information can be found at: readynapacounty.org. Download COAD's PDF instructions for more guidance: Get Alerts Stay Informed (PDF).

General Tips

Here are some general tips developed by the California Governor's Office of Emergencies Services on what to do before, during and after an emergency to help you get ready to ride out an extended emergency.

The first 72 hours after a disaster are critical. Electricity, gas, water, and telephones (landlines and cell) may not be working. In addition, public safety services such as police, fire department and public works personnel will be busy responding to the incident. You should be prepared to be self-sufficient (able to live without easily accessible running water, electricity and/or gas, telephones, and assistance from safety services) for at least three days following a disaster. To do so, keep on hand in a central location the following:

  • Alternative cooking source. Store a barbecue or camping stove for outdoor cooking.
  • Extra blankets, clothing, shoes and money.
  • Fire Extinguisher - Your fire extinguisher should be suitable for all types of fires.
  • First Aid Kit - Make sure it's well stocked, especially with bandages and disinfectants.
  • Flashlights with extra batteries - Do not use matches or candles after a disaster until you are certain there are no gas leaks.
  • Food - Enough for 72 hours, preferably one week.
  • Portable radio with extra batteries. Most telephones could be out of order after an earthquake. The radio will be your best source of information.
  • Special Items - Have at least a one-week supply of medications and food for those with special needs.
  • Tools - Have an adjustable or pipe wrench for turning off the gas meter.
  • Water - Enough so each person has a gallon a day for 72 hours, preferably one week. Store in airtight container and replace it every six months.

For additional Information on emergency preparedness planning visit Plan Ahead for Disasters Website.

Add to your planning now with the following resources:

The information on this website is provided under the California Emergency Services Act (California Government Code section 8550 et seq.) and for informational purposes only. The information on this website: (1) is necessarily general and not intended to be a complete guide to all things that can or should be done in the event of an emergency, (2) is subject to change at any time including in the event of an emergency, and (3) may not apply to your specific needs and/or circumstances in the event of an emergency. Emergency preparedness is your responsibility. Relevant information regarding a particular emergency may be different than the information provided on this website. All persons should consult relevant authorities for information regarding a particular emergency. There are many sources of information for emergency preparedness and all persons should consult as many resources as possible.