El Niño: Preparedness is an Act of Care

Below is a short list of California resources congregations can use and share.

Preparing for severe weather does not require a long manual. A congregation can help by connecting people to official alerts, checking on those who may need support, and sharing reliable California guidance.

Use this page as a simple starting point. Save the links, share the most relevant guide with your community, and make sure someone knows who will send updates when conditions change.

Start with three practical steps

1. Get local alerts. Ask members to sign up for emergency alerts from the county where they live or work. Add your county Office of Emergency Services alert page to the congregation website and newsletter.
2. Choose a small care team. Name one lead and one backup. Invite people to join a confidential check-in list if they may need a call, transportation, translation, mobility support, or help planning for a power outage.
3. Use one communication channel. Choose the phone tree, text group, email list, or other channel the congregation will use for urgent updates. Keep every message short and based on information from local authorities.

California resources to save and share

• Listos California Winter Weather Toolkit: Multilingual materials congregations can share before winter storms.
• Listos California Severe Storms Quick Guide: A printable overview of what to do before, during, and after severe weather.
• Listos California Flood Quick Guide: Clear flood-safety steps for households and community groups.
• Caltrans QuickMap: Current highway conditions, closures, chain controls, and traffic information. Check it before travel, not while driving.
• California Department of Public Health: Safety in a Power Outage: Practical guidance on food safety, refrigeration, and home safety during an outage.

Put the resources to work this week

• Share the local alert link. Place it in the congregation newsletter, website, and welcome materials.
• Choose one guide. Print or email the severe-storm or flood guide in the languages used by your community.
• Save the essential pages. Bookmark Caltrans QuickMap, your county emergency page, and your local utility outage page on the device used for congregation communications.
• Confirm the check-in plan. Set aside 15 minutes for the care team to review the opt-in list, volunteer assignments, and backup contacts.

During a storm

• Follow evacuation orders and other instructions from local authorities.
• Never walk or drive through floodwater.
• Stay away from downed power lines. Call 9-1-1 if there is immediate danger.
• Send short, verified updates and check on people who have asked for support.

After a storm

• Wait for local authorities to say an area is safe before returning.
• Keep away from damaged structures, standing water, and downed lines.
• Use the California Department of Public Health guidance before keeping refrigerated food after an outage.
• When it is safe, photograph damage and save receipts for cleanup or repairs.

Preparedness is care made practical. A trusted alert, a clear message, and a timely check-in can help a congregation protect its people without overwhelming volunteers.