Lamorinda To Hold Virtual Evacuation Drill: What To Know

LAMORINDA, CA — The Lamorinda police departments, the Moraga-Orinda Fire District, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and the Contra Costa County Community Warning System are partnering to conduct a virtual evacuation exercise Saturday, Sept. 30.

Starting at 8 a.m., messages will be sent to residents who are signed up for CWS text messages or email notifications in all Lamorinda cities and the community of Canyon. The messages will be sent sometime between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

Police noted that no phone calls will be made for this evacuation drill; only text and email notifications will be made.

The purpose of the exercise is to test and refine the communication systems to be used in the event an emergency evacuation is required.

"While we all hope an emergency evacuation will never be needed, preparing for the event is essential," local authorities said.

Here are some things Lamorinda residents should do:

• Sign up for alerts on your smartphone with the Contra Costa County Community Warning System (CWS) here.
• Know Your Zone! Contra Costa County, including Moraga, is divided into evacuation zones. Knowing your zone will allow you to quickly identify your neighborhood’s evacuation status and know when it’s safe to return home. Find your zone here.
• Know your neighbors. If it’s safe and there is time, go next door and make sure your neighbors received the evacuation message. Your neighbors may also need help to evacuate.
• Include the CWS emergency notification number — 925-655-0195 — in your favorite contacts on your phone so you will receive messages when your phone is set to "do not disturb."