Prepping in Los Angeles
LA's big three are earthquakes, wildfire and heat. The first comes with no warning, the second can come with minutes, and the third strains the grid for days.
- Earthquakes
- Wildfire
- Extreme heat
Sign up today
The official Los Angeles alert and lookup tools. Each takes a few minutes and works even if you do nothing else on this page.
- NotifyLASign up for NotifyLA
Free texts, calls and emails from the City of Los Angeles about emergencies near the addresses you choose.
- Alert LA CountyRegister for Alert LA County
The county's system. Use it too, especially if you live outside city limits or in an unincorporated area.
- MyShake appGet MyShake
Free earthquake early warning from the ShakeAlert system. It can give you a few seconds to drop, cover and hold on before shaking arrives.
- Genasys ProtectFind your evacuation zone
LA County issues evacuation warnings and orders by zone. Look up your address, write your zone down and keep it in your go-bag.
Links checked October 2026. Wireless Emergency Alerts reach most phones automatically; these add local detail.
What can go wrong in Los Angeles
- Major earthquake
- The San Andreas and many smaller faults, including several under the LA basin, can break water mains, gas lines and roads at the same time.
- Wind-driven wildfire
- Santa Ana winds push fires into neighborhoods fast. The January 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires burned through whole communities in hours.
- Extreme heat
- Inland valleys regularly pass 100°F, and heat waves strain the grid when everyone runs AC.
- Wildfire smoke
- Smoke can blanket the basin even when the fire is far away.
- Power shutoffs
- On high-fire-risk days, utilities in parts of the region may cut power to prevent ignitions.
What that means for your plan
Earthquake prep comes first because it has no warning. Store two weeks of water per person, strap your water heater, anchor tall furniture and keep shoes and a headlamp by the bed.
If you live near hills or canyons, treat fire season the way Florida treats hurricane season: know your zone, keep a go-bag in the car and leave when you're told to, or sooner.
Many older LA buildings are wood-frame soft-story or non-ductile concrete, and the city requires many of them to be retrofitted. If you rent, ask whether yours has been done.
Do these first, in this order
- Two weeks of stored water
About 14 gallons per person. A major quake could leave pipes broken for weeks.
Water storage and filters guide - Sign up for NotifyLA and install MyShake
Ten minutes now gets you evacuation orders and seconds of quake warning.
Radios and communication guide - Strap the water heater and anchor furniture
The cheapest way to prevent the most common quake injuries and fires.
- Go-bag in the car during fire season
Meds, documents, N95s, chargers, glasses. Ready to leave in 10 minutes.
Go-bags and evacuation guide - N95s and a HEPA purifier
For smoke days that can last a week.
Go-bags and evacuation guide - Battery power for heat and shutoffs
A power station can run a fan, phones and a CPAP without fumes.
Power stations and generators guide
Questions
How much water should I store for an earthquake in Los Angeles?
Plan on two weeks: about 14 gallons per person, plus water for pets. A major Southern California quake could break water mains across the region, and pipes take longer to fix than power lines.
How do I find my evacuation zone in LA County?
Look up your address on Genasys Protect (protect.genasys.com). LA County issues evacuation warnings and orders by zone, so write yours down and keep it in your go-bag.
Does Los Angeles have earthquake early warning?
Yes. California's ShakeAlert system sends warnings through the MyShake app, Android phones and Wireless Emergency Alerts. You may get a few seconds of notice, enough to drop, cover and hold on.
How ready is your Los Angeles home?
The quiz weights every item for earthquake country risks and shows your top gaps. About 3 minutes, no sign-up.