Emergencies do not always give us much warning. A little preparation now can make a big difference later. Stay Ready connects the Housing Authority community with trusted local resources to help prepare for severe weather, flooding, power outages, evacuations, and other emergencies. Our goal is simple: help you know what to do, where to go, and how to stay informed before an emergency happens.
Be Ready Before the Weather Changes
Santa Cruz County can experience heavy rain, flooding, landslides, high winds, power outages, and other severe weather conditions. El Niño can increase the chance of a wetter winter, although impacts can vary from year to year. The County has put together information on preparing your household and property, checking road conditions, power outages, flooding, pets, and what to do after a storm.
Know Your Plan
Every household should have a basic emergency plan. Think about:
- Where you would go if you needed to evacuate
- How you would contact family members
- Medications and other essential items you may need
- Food, water, flashlights, batteries, and basic supplies
- Transportation for yourself, children, pets, or others who may need assistance
- More than one way to leave your neighborhood
Santa Cruz County recommends preparing these things before severe weather or another emergency occurs.
Your Ready, Set, Go! Guide
Santa Cruz County’s Ready, Set, Go! Guide provides practical information to help you prepare for an emergency, understand evacuation notices, and know what steps to take when conditions change.
Stay Informed
During an emergency, reliable information matters.
Sign up for CruzAware
Receive emergency alerts by text, phone, or email. You can choose your preferred language and how you would like to receive notifications.
Know Your Zone
Find your evacuation zone now and become familiar with more than one way out of your neighborhood.
Check Before You Travel
During severe weather, avoid unnecessary travel and check road conditions before leaving home. Never drive through a flooded roadway.
Stay Ready: Emergency Preparedness Workshop
Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Online via Zoom
Join the Housing Authority and the Santa Cruz County Office of Response, Recovery, & Resilience (OR3) for a special Stay Ready emergency preparedness workshop.
We’ll talk about:
- El Niño and severe weather
- Flooding, storms, and power outages
- Emergency alerts and evacuation information
- Preparing your household before an emergency
- Local resources available in Santa Cruz County
Live Spanish interpretation will be available.
We hope you never need to use an emergency plan. But knowing where to find information and having a few things ready ahead of time can make a difficult situation easier.
Community means looking out for one another. Stay informed. Stay connected.
Haga clic aquí para ver la página en español: Mantente Preparado