Prepping in San Jose
San Jose sits between the San Andreas, Hayward and Calaveras faults. In 2017, Coyote Creek also flooded and forced about 14,000 people from their homes.
- Earthquakes
- Creek flooding
- Wildfire smoke and outages
Sign up today
The official San Jose alert and lookup tools. Each takes a few minutes and works even if you do nothing else on this page.
- AlertSCCSign up for AlertSCC
Santa Clara County's free, confidential emergency alerts by phone, text and email for people who live or work in the county. Choose San Jose when you register.
- MyShake appGet the MyShake app
Free earthquake early warning from the ShakeAlert system. It can give you a few seconds to drop, cover and hold on before shaking arrives.
Links checked October 2026. Wireless Emergency Alerts reach most phones automatically; these add local detail.
What can go wrong in San Jose
- Earthquakes
- Several major faults surround the valley. The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake was centered in the Santa Cruz Mountains just south of the city.
- Creek flooding
- Heavy winter storms can push Coyote Creek and others over their banks, as in February 2017.
- Wildfire smoke
- Smoke from fires across Northern California can make the air unhealthy for days.
- Power shutoffs
- PG&E can cut power to hillside areas during high fire danger.
- Heat
- Inland heat waves strain the grid and make outages harder.
What that means for your plan
Plan for two weeks on your own after a big quake. Water and gas lines can break, and help may take time to reach every neighborhood.
Secure tall furniture and water heaters, and keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
Keep N95 masks for smoke days, and a power station if you rely on medical devices.
Do these first, in this order
- Two weeks of water
Mains break in big quakes.
Water storage and filters guide - First-aid kit
Injuries in quakes come from falling objects and glass.
First aid and medical guide - Power station
For outages and PG&E shutoffs.
Power stations and generators guide - AlertSCC and MyShake
Seconds of warning, and official orders.
Radios and communication guide - Go-bag with N95 masks
For floods, fires and smoke days.
Go-bags and evacuation guide - Toilet plan
Sewers can fail after a major quake.
Sanitation and hygiene guide
Questions
How do I get emergency alerts in San Jose?
Register for AlertSCC, Santa Clara County's free alert system, choosing San Jose, and install MyShake for earthquake early warning.
How much water should San Jose households store?
Bay Area emergency managers recommend two weeks for earthquakes: about 14 gallons per person, plus extra for pets.
How ready is your San Jose home?
The quiz weights every item for earthquake country risks and shows your top gaps. About 3 minutes, no sign-up.