Make a plan

Learn which types of disasters could affect your area. Talk to family members about how to connect and where to meet if you are not together when a disaster strikes. Have a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find. Plan now for unique needs and remember to check on neighbors.

Build a kit

A Go Bag  helps if you have to leave home quickly, or if you cannot leave home. Include water, non-perishable food, a first-aid kit, flashlight, and a battery-powered radio, phone charger, medication and extra glasses, copies of important documents (birth certificate, home and car titles, insurance policies, Social Security cards), a notebook, kid items, and remember your pets’ needs too. For more details, see Build A Kit | Ready.gov.

Check sandbag locations

Find your nearest pickup site before the first storm arrives: 2026 Sandbag Locations

Clean gutters and drains

Prepare your home for an El Niño wet winter by clearing all roof gutters, downspouts, and exterior yard drains so heavy runoff flows safely away from your foundation. Also remove dirt, leaves and debris from storm drains in the streets near your home.

Sign up for SMC Alert

SMC Alert is San Mateo County's official emergency notification system. Register at smcalert.info to receive warnings by text, phone call, and email, including storm and flood alerts specific to your address.

Flood insurance

Flood Insurance: The Financial Protection Many People Assume They Already Have

Most people find out after the water recedes that their homeowner or renter policy doesn't cover flooding. Flood insurance is a separate policy, available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and some private insurers. It applies if you own or rent, and whether or not your street or home have flooded before.

Homeowners can insure the structure and belongings. Renters can insure their belongings. Your landlord's policy covers the building, not your furniture, clothes or electronics, and a standard renter policy won't pay for flood damage.

Timing matters. A new flood policy takes effect 30 days after you sign it, so buy now, before the rain comes.

Your car needs a separate check. Flood insurance excludes cars and most motorized vehicles. A flooded car is typically covered only with comprehensive coverage.

Take photos and video now. This one step does more for a claim than anything else. Walk through every room with your phone, open closets and drawers, and capture make, model and serial numbers on appliances and electronics. Save a copy to the cloud or somewhere off site. The free UPHelp Home Inventory app from United Policyholders makes this easier. (The UPHelp Home Inventory App - United Policyholders) If a flood happens, photograph the damage before you clean up or throw anything away.

Find a policy. Use FEMA's lookup tool at Find a flood insurance provider or call 800.621.3362.

Questions about insurance? The California Department of Insurance or United Policyholders offer free information and help.