Emergency Preparedness


The City of Woodland is committed to Emergency Management and Emergency Preparedness.  In addition to incident specific training conducted regularly by our fire crews, we also participate in City-wide drills and additional training course to enhance our skills and knowledge base to continue to improve. 

Below are some critical emergency preparedness information you should know about being prepared and being notified in case of an emergency event in our City.

Emergency Operations Drill in a room with computers and several city employees talking

Alert Yolo

How will you be notified of an emergency that impacts our community?

Sign up for Alert Yolo to receive emails and/or texts: https://www.yolocounty.gov/government/general-government-departments/office-of-emergency-services/alerts

This system enables us to provide you with critical information quickly in a variety of situations, such a severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons and evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods.

Sign up TODAY!

Alert Yolo

Know Your Zone

Authorities will use Zone Names in emergency alerts, media releases, and social media to notify residents of areas under an evacuation warning or order. Zone names do not replace Alert-Yolo but supplement it.

Our evacuation management program, known as "Zonehaven Aware," was acquired by "Genasys Protect." Genasys has launched a new mobile application in addition to the existing web-based platform. This platform expands the user options in an app, including the ability to sign up for zone notifications, such as when an evacuation order is lifted. You can also let your location see your zone as you travel about the county. 

Please note: Not every incident will require using Genasys Protect, just as every incident does not call for an evacuation. Knowing your zone could save time when minutes count in an evacuation incident. View five easy steps to get started:

  • Download the Genasys App via the App Store or Google Play. or
  • Visit the Genasys Protect website - type your address in the search bar or use your current address.
  • Click on the highlighted zone and locate the number in the zone description panel.
  • Write your zone down and place it somewhere easily accessible by everyone in your house.
  • Click on Subscribe to Alerts to stay updated in an emergency.
  • Explore the information provided in your zone's description panel and bookmark any useful links provide  

More information can be found on the Yolo County OES website. 

Genasys App

Understand Evacuation Terms

  • Evacuation Order: Immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to leave now. The area is lawfully closed to public access. 
  • Evacuation Warning: Potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now.
  • Shelter in Place: Go indoors. Shut and lock doors and windows. Prepare to self-sustain until further notice and/or contacted by emergency personnel for additional direction.
  • Evacuation Order(s) Lifted: The formal announcement of lifting evacuations in an area currently under evacuation.
  • Hard Closure: Closed to all traffic except Fire and Law Enforcement.
  • Soft Closure: Closed to all traffic except Fire, Law Enforcement and critical Incident resources (i.e. Utility, Caltrans, City/County Roads etc. or those needed to repair or restore infrastructure). 
  • Resident Only Closure: Soft closure with the additional allowance of residents and local government agencies assisting with response and recovery.

Be Prepared in Advance

You may not be together when disaster strikes, so it’s important to know how you’ll reconnect if separated. Use this form to create a Family Emergency Communication Plan, which you can email as a PDF file once complete (courtesy of Ready.gov). 

12 ways to be prepared

Evacuation Preparedness

The time you have to prepare for an evacuation may depend on the hazard. If you feel you are at risk of being evacuated, consider organizing the following for a Grab-and-Go kit:

  • Have copies of important personal papers, such as the deed to your house, proof of insurance, medical records, passports, social security cards, and photos. Also, have your driver's license and a list of personal contacts.
  • Critical medical items, such as prescriptions.
  • Essential valuables.
  • Clothing, footwear, and toiletries.
  • Cell phone & charger.
  • Food and water for at least three days.
  • Flashlights and batteries.
  • Childcare items, such as diapers, formula, and medicine.
  • Pet care items, such as carrier cases, food, etc.
  • Cash on hand, credit cards, checkbook, and keys.
  • Blankets (2 per person).

Additional considerations before an evacuation order:

  • Identify an out-of-town person you will contact in the event of an evacuation.
  • Fill your vehicle with gas and keep it maintained.  A good rule of thumb is to keep the tank at least half full.
  • Know where your utility shutoffs are located and learn how to shut off all utilities safely.
  • If you live in an area prone to flooding, consider having sandbag materials on hand.
  • Stay informed with Emergency Alerts.

During an Evacuation

Remember to stay calm and follow any local official agency's evacuation instructions. If you have time, consider the following:

  • Consider removing any hanging objects outside. Bring any objects not nailed down inside.
  • Unplug appliances.
  • Shut off utilities to prevent additional dangers. When you return home, remember that a utility company must turn your gas back on.
  • Protect indoor items. For instance, in the event of flooding, valuables can be moved upstairs.
  • Lock all your doors, windows, and garage before leaving.
  • Follow the recommended evacuation routes. Do not take shortcuts, as streets may be blocked.
  • Continue to monitor local media outlets for additional information.