Your first day in the Bay Area: set up alerts, outage information and household readiness
Identify your county and electricity provider, then save easy-to-find official links
Duboce Park during wildfire smoke on September 9, 2020. Archive photograph, not a current weather or air-quality alert.
Use a short checklist to set up local alerts, bookmark outage and air-quality pages, and agree on a family contact plan.
Set up a few lasting essentials after moving in: know where local notices come from, where to check outages, and how to contact family if your phone loses power. This checklist is for advance preparation. During an actual alert, read the issuing agency, affected location, time and required action, and follow the latest instructions.
Register for your county and update after moving
- San Francisco uses AlertSF; Alameda County uses AC Alert. Other East Bay counties have their own official systems.
- San Mateo County uses SMC Alert; Santa Clara County uses AlertSCC. Distinguish city and county names.
- Marin County uses AlertMarin; check local portals for other North Bay counties. Verify your address and contact channels as instructed during registration.
- Add work or family locations as needed. After moving, remove old locations, update phone numbers and confirm your settings are saved. Registration does not guarantee delivery of every alert.
Check outages and air quality separately
Confirm your electricity provider on your bill. PG&E customers can bookmark its Outage Center to check affected areas, update times and restoration estimates, which may change. Santa Clara's Silicon Valley Power and Palo Alto Utilities have separate resources. Use the Air District's air-quality page, distinguishing measurements from forecasts. Spare the Air notices are not a live reading for your block.
From setting down your bags to making a place feel like home. A conceptual illustration, not an actual listing.
Start with supplies you own and agree on a contact plan
Use Ready.gov's checklist to review water, shelf-stable food, flashlights, spare batteries, charging equipment and a radio, then add household and pet necessities. Agree on meeting arrangements and an out-of-area contact, keeping important numbers on paper. Ask building management about notices and exits before connectivity is lost. Check supply expiry dates regularly and adjust outings using current weather, air quality and official instructions.
Check items off to organize your thoughts. Your selections reset when you leave this page.
Copyable household readiness card
Sample template: replace the text in brackets, review it, then send.
Local alerts: [system] Electricity information: [official page] Meeting arrangements: [plan] Contact order if separated: [family / out-of-area contact] Supply location: [agreed place] Next check: [date] Keep the completed card within your household; do not publish personal information.
Choose the page for your actual electricity provider.
Check the data timestamp and relevant area.
Start with what you own and fill the gaps.
Keep building your local-life checklist
Plan moving, public services and everyday errands together.
Browse more practical guidesOfficial resources and service links
Check the original sources for your circumstances. Admission prices, hours, rules, and services may change.
- AlertSF(opens in a new tab)
San Francisco's official alert registration portal.
- Alameda County Health · AC Alert(opens in a new tab)
Alameda County alert and registration information.
- San Mateo County · SMC Alert(opens in a new tab)
Set contact channels for your locations.
- Santa Clara County · AlertSCC(opens in a new tab)
Register or update locations and language preferences.
- Marin County Sheriff · AlertMarin(opens in a new tab)
Marin's alert system and coverage.
- PG&E · Outages & Safety(opens in a new tab)
View or report outages and set up updates.
- Silicon Valley Power · Outages and Alerts(opens in a new tab)
Use this separate resource for Santa Clara city electricity service.
- City of Palo Alto Utilities · Outages(opens in a new tab)
Use this separate resource for Palo Alto city electricity service.
- Bay Area Air District · Current Air Quality(opens in a new tab)
Distinguish measurements, forecasts and air-quality alerts.
- Bay Area Air District · Spare the Air(opens in a new tab)
Subscribe to alerts and check current notices.
- Ready.gov · Build a Kit(opens in a new tab)
Build supplies for your household's size and needs.
Official sources checked September 27, 2026. This guide helps you find the right service; confirm eligibility, accepted items, appointments, fees and live status on the responsible agency's current page.
