PreparedStates
CA · State guide

California emergency preparedness

FEMA's National Risk Index puts California's expected annual loss from natural hazards at about $30 billion, rated Very High. The hazards with the largest expected losses are earthquakes, inland flooding and wildfires.

Weather alerts in California right now

Live

0 warnings and 3 watches in force. 6 advisories.

  • Flood Watch until Oct 22, 2026, 11:00 PM ETWest Side Mountains South of 198; Buttonwillow - Lost Hills - I5; Buena Vista; Bakersfield; South End San Joaquin Valley; Kern River Valley; Piute Walker Basin; Tehachapi; Grapevine; Frazier Mountain
  • Flood Watch until Oct 22, 2026, 7:00 PM ETMalibu Coast; Western Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area; Eastern Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area
  • Flood Watch until Oct 22, 2026, 9:00 PM ETSanta Ynez Valley; Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast; Santa Barbara County Southeastern Coast; Santa Ynez Mountains Western Range; Santa Ynez Mountains Eastern Range; Santa Barbara County Interi

National Weather Service data, updated Oct 22, 2026, 7:45 AM ET. Not an official warning: follow your local NWS office. All US alerts →

California's biggest natural hazards

FEMA's expected annual loss for each hazard, in dollars a year, and FEMA's rating, from the National Risk Index (December 2025).

EarthquakeVery High$15 billion a yearHow to prepare →
Inland floodingVery High$12 billion a yearHow to prepare →
WildfireVery High$1.8 billion a yearHow to prepare →
DroughtVery High$1.0 billion a yearHow to prepare →
Heat waveRelatively High$378 million a yearHow to prepare →
TsunamiRelatively High$192 million a year
LandslideVery High$130 million a year
Coastal floodingRelatively High$67 million a yearHow to prepare →

Get ready for earthquakes, inland flooding, wildfires and drought

EarthquakeEarthquake preparedness: Drop, Cover and Hold On, and what to do afterGear: First aid kits · Fire extinguishers
Inland floodingFlood preparedness: flood watch vs warning, what to do and how flood insurance worksGear: Sump pump battery backups · Fireproof document safes
WildfireHow to protect yourself from wildfire smoke: AQI, clean room, filters and N95sGear: Air purifiers for wildfire smoke · N95 masks for smoke
DroughtHow much water to store for an emergency: per person, per pet and for how longGear: Water storage containers

Official help in California

Build a kit for your household

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Other states where earthquakes top the list

AlaskaOregonUtahWashington

Seasonal checklists for California

One calm email before the season's hazards arrive. No spam.

Sources (4)
  1. FEMA National Risk Index, state Expected Annual Loss (December 2025)
  2. FEMA National Risk Index
  3. USA.gov: California
  4. National Weather Service active alerts (api.weather.gov)