Today's Stories

Natural disasters an increasing reality California has counted nearly 300 disaster declarations since the federal government began using the designation in 1953. That’s more than any other state. Fires, floods and earthquakes top the ... Continue Reading

Being ready for wildfire takes a good deal of work Protecting your home from wildfire involves a lot more than just pouring water on the flames when they attack. It’s about preparing well in advance — and chances are you have some work to do on that ... Continue Reading

How to keep flames from igniting your home From the second a fire ignites in your house, experts say you may have only two minutes to get out before being overwhelmed by smoke and flames — and just five minutes before the entire structure is ... Continue Reading

Practice escape routes in case a house fire hits The vast majority of fire deaths — 85 percent — happen in homes. Yet, few families, just one in five, have practiced getting out of their house in the event of a fire. Do you know how you’d escape ... Continue Reading

Have emergency supplies ready for home and car One of the key tools for making it through the next big disaster is an emergency survival kit — and it’s important not only to store one at home, but to keep one in your car, because that’s where you ... Continue Reading

To protect against quakes, make your house a safe sanctuary When the Big One hits — we’re talking about a massive earthquake that causes towers and bridges to collapse and turns the region into chaos — you’ll find yourself in ultimate survival mode. Your ... Continue Reading

Learn how to help your neighbors When disaster strikes, trained volunteers can make a big difference in helping communities respond. Two options to participate in these types of volunteer networks are: • The Citizen Corps, which ... Continue Reading

Making sure pets are safe in a disaster Whether a home is shaking or burning, dogs and cats need tender loving care and common sense from their caretakers. Here are tips for pet survival in a disaster: Tagging All pets should be ... Continue Reading

Get your papers in order Part of getting ready for a disaster means getting your financial house in order. Thousands of people who lost homes in the 2017 California wildfires discovered too late that their insurance coverage ... Continue Reading

High-tech ways to stay in touch during an emergency Candles and hand-cranked flashlight-radios will prove handy in a blackout. More elaborate options are available, but may prove costly. Here are some high-tech ways to power your home and maintain ... Continue Reading

When disaster hits, act fast, then get ready to carry on You’ve done everything you can to retrofit your house, cut down enough vegetation to clear fire-safe space in your yard, jack your mobile home up above flood level. That was just a start. The real ... Continue Reading

What to do in 1st critical minutes It’s finally happened: An earthquake is pushing your furniture around like a cat with toys, or a wildfire is roaring toward your house in a wall of crackling flame. Don’t panic. Take a breath if you ... Continue Reading

What to do in days after disaster strikes Surviving the unsettling jolt of a quake or the flames of a fire is just the first step. An important one, yes — but the danger and challenge is rarely over right away. You will need to push on for the ... Continue Reading

Tips for finding loved ones missing in a disaster When disaster strikes, people often go missing. Even with the best-laid plans, family members might be unable to meet at prearranged points. Cell phones, filled with contact information of friends and ... Continue Reading

On-demand services ready to offer their aid Uber, Lyft and Airbnb — the big three on-demand services — all stand ready to help when widespread disaster strikes. How will ride-hailing work after a disaster? Uber and Lyft will offer free ... Continue Reading

Where and when to get help after a disaster After a major disaster you may qualify for tax relief, unemployment insurance, federal grants and low-interest loans, but it helps to act quickly. Here’s where to turn: File a claim Contact your ... Continue Reading

Follow directions when hazardous material befouls the air With a high-tech economy and strict environmental codes, the Bay Area is not known as a hub of heavy industry and dangerous pollution. But there is still opportunity for dangerous chemicals to stir up a ... Continue Reading

What to do when floodwaters rise California is a state prone to flooding. Over the past 60 years, more than 30 major floods have occurred, claiming more than 300 lives. While some spots expect high water, such as along Sonoma ... Continue Reading

Download these emergency apps before you need them Several smartphone apps became popular during recent disasters, according to San Francisco analytics firm App Annie. It’s best to download these free apps before you need them. Here they are: ... Continue Reading

Old-school devices could be helpful if modern ones fail When disaster strikes, don’t expect your iPad or cell phone to come to the rescue with needed information. Internet and phone service may go out during a fire, flood or earthquake, leaving you with ... Continue Reading