What would you do if you had to urgently leave your home due to a flood or fire? Are you prepared to survive severe weather in your home or in your car?
During National Preparedness Month in September, we want to be sure everyone – including our most vulnerable populations – has the tools to prepare for an emergency.
Douglas County and our neighboring communities are regularly affected by events such as severe winter weather, wildfires and floods. A few simple steps and shared responsibility for readiness can make a big difference as we all work to be proactive.
Your county is ready to support the community with:
- Aerial firefighting support.
- Practical advice and resources for all residents.
- Interactive tools to educate and inform homeowners about wildfire risk and the importance of planning for emergencies.
It is important to have a plan and an emergency kit. Taking the following steps can create a more organized, calm and rapid response during a disaster:
- Take personal responsibility for being aware of local weather conditions.
- Sign up for CodeRED and receive local public safety alerts via telephone, text message, and email directly from Douglas County. For those on social media, follow @dcsheriff on X for up-to-the-minute updates during an emergency.
- If you, or someone in your household, is an older adult or person with a disability and may need extra assistance in the event of an evacuation, please sign up for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Access and Functional Needs Database.
- Develop emergency plans for you and your family.
- Build a kit. Being prepared means having food, water and other needed supplies to last for several days.
- Contact your utility providers to make sure they have your most up-to-date contact information and can reach you in case of service disruptions
- Download the County’s Disaster Preparedness Guide for more helpful tips to prepare you and your family — including your children, family members with disabilities, pets and livestock.
Learn more at ready.gov.