Getting ready for emergencies starts with steps at home
As we enter the final days of National Preparedness Month, there’s still time to get ready for the natural and human-caused hazards that go along with living in Snohomish County. Some key actions can make you and the people you care about more resilient across the gamut of challenges, including winter storms, flooding, earthquakes and more.
KNOW YOUR AREA – Learn more about the hazards where you live and work, as well as along your commute. The Snohomish County Hazard Viewer makes that easy, with searches by address and risks: https://snoco.org/hazards
STAY INFORMED – Sign up for SnoCoAlerts to receive emergency information on your phone when it matters most. If you haven’t already, bookmark the Snohomish County Public Safety Hub: https://snoco.org/safety During a disaster, first responders and emergency managers will rely on both tools to share critical information.
HAVE A PLAN – Use this checklist to make a plan, build a kit and become more prepared.
GET TWO WEEKS READY - By preparing for the worst, you are better positioned for lesser hazards. Computer modeling suggests a major earthquake could seriously damage the region’s roads and bridges, likely making it difficult to travel or access supplies. See our searchable map: https://snoco.org/megaquake
The best strategy is to build up a two-week supply of food, water, and medication for you and your pets, plus an extensive first aid kit and other supplies.
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A drier, warmer climate means that September is now peak wildfire season for Snohomish County. We worked with partners over two years to develop the first countywide Community Wildfire Protection Plan. It was adopted in late 2025. The project is now entering its next phase, creating detailed annexes across five planning zones. In the months ahead we will work with people throughout the community to identify priorities, projects, and actions that reflect the unique characteristics and wildfire protection needs of each planning area. Please visit the project website to learn more about what this effort means for you, and for living more safely amid the trees: www.bit.ly/SnoCo_CWPP_Zones
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On Oct. 15 at 10:15 a.m., Drop, Cover, and Hold On to practice staying safe when the ground shakes. Register for the Great Washington ShakeOut drill to learn more. And if you are on the waterfronts in Everett and Edmonds during the drill, listen for the state’s test of its tsunami sirens.
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Are you ready for when the going gets tough?
Learn how to get better prepared for emergencies by signing up now for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service course, Disaster Preparedness and Survival: A Guide for Individuals, Families, and Communities
We're working with partners in Arlington to host this FREE 1.5-day weekend training help people ages 14+ prepare to help themselves, their families and others during disasters.
Learn more and register at the link:
Arlington, Oct. 17-18, 2026: https://bit.ly/4w8stFZ
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