Get Alameda Ready: Your 8-week emergency preparedness journey begins!

Published on April 01, 2025

Hello Alameda! Thank you for signing up for the City of Alameda’s Preparedness Campaign! We’re excited to guide you through essential steps that will ensure you are Alameda Ready when disaster strikes.

Did you know there’s a 72% chance of a magnitude of 6.7 or higher earthquake in the next 30 years? A large earthquake like this will cause significant damage, including fallen buildings, broken gas and water lines, and fires. 

Over the next 8 weeks, we’ll deliver weekly emails with practical preparedness tips. As a bonus, participants who complete the campaign will be entered into a drawing for a solar-powered hand-crank emergency radio! Click here to subscribe.

WEEK 1: Securing Your Water Supply

This week, we’re focusing on a critical resource: water. Scientists predict that a major earthquake could disrupt our clean water supply. That’s why it’s important to collect and store enough water for drinking, washing, and possibly cooking.  

Storing Water for Drinking

You’ll need 1 gallon of water per person per day for at least 3 days, and more if your household includes children, people who are elderly, ill, pregnant, or nursing, and pets.

When purchasing water to store for emergencies, choose plastic containers (glass bottles may break) and note the expiration date so you can replace it. If storing your own water, use food-grade containers, wash and rinse thoroughly before use, and set a reminder to replace the water every six months. Used water can be repurposed for gardening or cooking.

Treating Your Water

If bottled water is not available, be prepared to treat water for safe consumption. You can purchase filtered straws or disinfection tablets, boil water for at least 1 minute, or disinfect water using small amounts of unscented chlorine bleach. Follow directions below for how many drops of bleach to add to different amounts of water. After adding, stir and let stand for 30 minutes.  

Water For Sanitation

If water mains break or are shut off, you’ll need water for flushing toilets. Plastic gallon milk jugs are great for this, but because they contain milk residue that can breed bacteria, the water is unsafe for drinking. Simply pour the water into your toilet bowl when you’re ready to flush.

Have questions? Call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline! 800-426-4791

Are you ready for it? Stay tuned for next week’s email!