Emergency Info | Madera County

Winter Weather

1. Get Alerts

To efficiently respond when evacuations are issued, it’s important for residents to know what zone their address is in. Residents are urged to visit MaderaAware.com for an interactive map with current evacuation status and road closures. Madera County utilizes a tool that showcases on-line map has areas of the community broken up into “Zones”, streamlining the ability to view and understand where and how a current incident is impacting the community. Genasys Protect allows community members to go to the website or smartphone app and enter their address to see if they are impacted, making it an efficient and accurate way to view current conditions.

2. Make a Plan

Extreme weather events and other natural disasters occur at a moment’s notice. Madera County urges residents and visitors to “Make a Plan” in advance of potential emergency situations. This plan should include being prepared for evacuation, extended periods of time without power/electricity, unplowed streets, road closures, etc. Ask yourself the following questions:

How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
What is my shelter plan?
What is my evacuation route?
What is my household communication plan?
Do I need to update my emergency preparedness kit?

3. Pack a Go Bag

Most disasters are unexpected and happen fast. Pack a “Go Bag” to be prepared to leave your home in a hurry. Be sure to pack items for each member of your household. Items to consider include:

Important documents
Cash
Map(s)
Medication(s)
Water
Non-perishable food or snacks
Portable radio
Flashlight
First Aid Kit

4. Build a Stay Box

In some disasters, you may be safer staying at home. However, damage from the disaster, or extended periods of isolation might make that uncomfortable. You may not have access to drinking water, bathing water, or the ability to flush your toilet. Electricity may be out, impacting your ability to keep perishable food fresh, or your home heated. Prepare for at least 7-10 days without power or electricity. Items to consider include:

Water: Up to 3 gallons per person
Food: Set aside foods that won’t spoil and require no cooking
Portable radio
Flashlight
First Aid Kit

5. Help Friends and Neighbors

Meet with your neighbors and friends to discuss your plan, and identify any areas of need/support in your community. Make sure to have contact information for each other, and check-in during winter storm events.

BASIC TIPS FOR ANY DISASTER

Carry Identification: Families may be apart when disaster strikes – oftentimes people and pets get separated.
Build a Support Network: Have a backup plan in case of emergency, and communicate with your neighbors, friends, and those requiring additional assistance.
Have Extra Medications and Power Supply: Many people can’t go three days without medications, and most need electricity to power equipment and devices.
Reduce Stress: Lessen physical and mental stress by planning ahead.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please call the Madera County Sheriff's Dept, Oakhurst Sub-station (559) 642-3201, or call the Madera County Sheriff's Department (559) 658-2555.

RESOURCES

Wildfire

UPDATE 9/20/2023: Air Quality Alert due to Wildfire Smoke

Ongoing wildfires in northern California and Oregon, as well as the Redwood Fire in Tulare County are again generating smoke that is impacting the San Joaquin Valley. As a result, the District has issued an Air Quality Alert with the National Weather Service. Residents impacted by the smoke are advised to stay indoors to minimize exposure to particulate matter (PM) emissions.

The District strongly urges the public to take health-protective actions to stay safe when smoke from wildfires affects the Valley, including following air quality recommendations when making decisions about outdoor activities. Additional health protective actions include:

Staying indoors
Using portable air cleaners or high-efficiency filters to remove fine particles from the air.
Planning ahead and creating a “clean air room”
Visiting a Clean Air Center. Similar to the Valley’s cooling centers, the District’s Clean Air Centers provide relief when wildfires & smoke events occur.

Particulate matter can trigger asthma attacks, aggravate chronic bronchitis, and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Individuals with heart or lung disease should follow their doctors’ advice for dealing with episodes of PM exposure. Those with existing respiratory conditions, including COVID-19, young children and the elderly, are especially susceptible to the health effects from this form of pollution. Anyone experiencing poor air quality due to wildfire smoke should move to a filtered, air-conditioned environment with windows closed.

For details on wildfires affecting the Valley, visit the District’s Wildfire Resource page at www.valleyair.org/wildfires. In addition, uses RAAN to check air quality at any Valley location at myRAAN.com, or the District’s “Valley Air” mobile application, and view the EPA AirNow Fire and Smoke map (https://fire.airnow.gov/) for information regarding smoke impacts.

For more information, visit www.valleyair.org or call a District office in Fresno (559-230-6000), Modesto (209-557-6400) or Bakersfield (661-392-5500).

Wildfire
Evacuation
Pre-Evacuation	What to Do if Trapped

PREPARE NOW Sign up for Madera County Alerts (MC Alert Emergency Alert System) MC Alert sends text if there is a Madera County fire/emergency in your area readyforwildfire.org (preparation - Cal Fire webpage) Pack a go-bag Include pets in your evacuation plan Get the app: ready for wildfire Active Wildfire Madera County Sheriff's Office, Facebook Mountain Fire & Emergency, Facebook Central Calif. Animal Disaster Team (animal evacuations) US Wildfire Activity Map

Madera County Office of Emergency Services

Madera County Office of Emergency Services (MCOES) operates under the direction of the Madera County Sheriff's Department. See MCOES below for more information.

Healthcare Disaster Volunteers: California Database

DisasterHealthCareVoluntees of California logo California maintains a Disaster Healthcare Volunteer Database to draw upon needed health providers of all types (From Acupuncture to Doctors to Dental to Nurses, Mental Health, Veterinarians and more). Learn more at the California Disaster Healthcare Volunteers website.

Madera Co. Ofc. of Emergency Services

Madera County Office of Emergency Services (OES) operates under the direction of the Madera County Sheriff's Department.

Madera County is vulnerable to a wide range of disasters including flooding, wildfires, earthquakes, landslides, hazardous materials incidents, transportation accidents and droughts. There is also potential for a public health and agricultural emergencies as well.

The Madera County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the County's disaster preparedness and response program. In addition, it is responsible for maintaining the County's Emergency Operations Center (EOC), as well as coordinating EOC activities during a disaster.

Within California's emergency management organizational structure, each county serves as an Operational Area. In this role, Madera County Sheriff's OES serves as an agent between State OES and the cities, special districts and unincorporated areas of Madera County. During a disaster, this includes gathering information on the County's emergency response needs, assessing county and state resources, and facilitating the acquisition, use and coordination of those resources.

Healthcare Disaster Volunteers: California Database