Prepping in San Francisco
The question isn't whether a major quake hits the Bay Area, it's when. Most of your plan is about getting through the days after it in a dense, hilly city.
- Earthquakes
- Fire after a quake
- Smoke
Sign up today
The official San Francisco alert and lookup tools. Each takes a few minutes and works even if you do nothing else on this page.
- AlertSFSign up for AlertSF
Text your ZIP code to 888-777, or sign up online to choose the neighborhoods you care about.
- MyShake appGet MyShake
Free earthquake early warning from the ShakeAlert system. It can give you a few seconds to drop, cover and hold on before shaking arrives.
Links checked October 2026. Wireless Emergency Alerts reach most phones automatically; these add local detail.
What can go wrong in San Francisco
- Major earthquake
- The San Andreas and Hayward faults both run through the region. Older soft-story buildings are the most vulnerable.
- Liquefaction
- Neighborhoods built on fill near the bay, including parts of the Marina, SoMa and Mission Bay, can shake harder and settle.
- Fire after the quake
- In 1906, the fires that followed the earthquake did more damage than the shaking. Broken gas and water lines make fires hard to fight.
- Wildfire smoke
- Fires across Northern California regularly push Bay Area air into unhealthy ranges.
- Tsunami
- Low-lying areas along Ocean Beach and parts of the bay shoreline are in tsunami hazard zones.
What that means for your plan
Plan to shelter in place for days. In taller buildings, expect elevators and water pressure to fail. Store water in stackable containers and keep an emergency toilet kit, since sewer lines may be damaged.
San Francisco requires many older wood-frame soft-story buildings to be retrofitted. If you rent in one, ask whether the work is done.
Know where your gas shutoff is and keep a wrench there, but only turn the gas off if you smell gas or hear hissing. PG&E has to turn it back on, which can take a long time after a big quake.
Do these first, in this order
- Two weeks of water in stackable containers
Fits under a bed or in a closet. Add a filter for the long tail.
Water storage and filters guide - AlertSF and MyShake
Official updates plus seconds of earthquake warning.
Radios and communication guide - Emergency toilet kit
Flushing on broken sewer lines makes things worse.
Sanitation and hygiene guide - Shoes, gloves and headlamp by the bed
Broken glass in the dark is the classic night-quake injury.
Lighting and staying warm guide - Real first-aid kit and training
Ambulances will be overwhelmed for days.
First aid and medical guide - Power banks for everyone
Your phone is your radio, map and light.
Power stations and generators guide
Questions
How do I get emergency alerts in San Francisco?
Text your ZIP code to 888-777 or sign up for AlertSF online. Install the MyShake app too, for earthquake early warning.
What should I do during an earthquake in San Francisco?
Drop, cover and hold on under a sturdy table. Stay inside until the shaking stops; falling glass and building facades make sidewalks dangerous. Don't run outside and don't stand in a doorway.
Is my neighborhood at higher risk?
Areas built on fill near the bay, such as parts of the Marina, SoMa and Mission Bay, face more shaking and liquefaction. The California Geological Survey publishes seismic hazard zone maps you can check by address.
How ready is your San Francisco home?
The quiz weights every item for earthquake country risks and shows your top gaps. About 3 minutes, no sign-up.