Emergency Preparedness/Disaster Services

502 - Disaster Shelters

After a damaging earthquake or heavy rains, you may be advised to evacuate your home and seek shelter. Your first choice should be a friend or relative's house in a safe area. The City of Santa Monica will open short term shelters when conditions warrant. The city's shelters are run in cooperation with the American Red Cross. They will provide temporary protection. If needed, long term shelters will be opened to provide more extensive services to the public.

Do not go to a shelter until it is open, and listen for local radio and television announcements on shelter openings and times. The city has designated a number of city buildings, primarily schools, as possible public shelters. These announcements will indicate which shelters will open and when they will open. The exact number and the locations of shelters that will be opened is determined as conditions dictate.

Bedding and the availability of food cannot be guaranteed in short term sheltering situations. Shelter living will have its inconveniences, and everyone needs to be prepared to cooperate and work together to get through the storm. When going to a shelter, you will need to consider the following:

• No pets are allowed in public shelters and noisy and disruptive behavior is not tolerated.
• You may bring bedding, some bottled drinking water and additional food, a supply of medication and prescriptions, a change of clothing, toiletries and personal items, and personal identification.
• You may also want to bring games, books and activities to pass the time.
• Neither smoking, alcohol, nor weapons are allowed in any shelter.

For more information on disaster preparedness, please refer to the other messages in this (Emergency Preparedness) category, or contact the Office of Emergency Services at (310) 458-8686 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.