Tsunami Advisory Underscores Need For Disaster Preparedness In The Bay Area

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — The County of San Mateo will host its 29th annual Disaster Preparedness Day Saturday where locals can learn best practices in an emergency such as a wildfire, earthquake, flood or even a tsunami, officials said.

“Just look around the nation: catastrophic flooding in the Midwest and South, heatwaves in the North, fires burning in the West. A disaster can strike at any time, anywhere, and now is the time to get prepared by building your knowledge, learning key skills and developing a plan,” said David Canepa, president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.

The County’s 21st Annual Disaster Preparedness Day takes place Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 2 at the San Mateo County Event Center.

At this free event there will be hands-on training, CPR, emergency skills workshops, displays by local emergency responders and activities for kids.

There will be a special emphasis on communities often hit the hardest during a disaster.

“We know that in a disaster, the most vulnerable communities often face the greatest risks, especially those who speak limited English or have less access to emergency resources,” said Supervisor Noelia Corzo, who serves on the event's planning committee. “That’s why this day is about more than training. It’s about making sure everyone, regardless of background or language, has the tools and confidence to stay safe.”

In San Mateo County nearly 45 percent of residents speak a language other than English at home and more than a third are foreign-born, officials said. Alerts are available in multiple languages but residents must actively enroll and set their language preferences.

This year’s event includes classes in Spanish and Mandarin, offering steps to prepare for emergencies and stay informed, officials said.

Also at the event kids can meet search-and-rescue horses, attend story time with a firefighter and climb aboard fire engines.

“Preparedness isn’t panic. It’s peace of mind.” said Dr. Shruti Dhapodkar, director of the San Mateo County Department of Emergency Management.“Whether it’s knowing how to perform CPR, program emergency alerts in your language, or reunite with your family after an evacuation, we want people to leave this event feeling more confident, more capable, and more connected. That’s what true preparedness looks like.”