The Guernewood Park evacuation exercise has been cancelled and will be rescheduled in Spring 2025. Stay tuned for updates!

May 19, 2024 evacuation exercise – Cloverdale areas of Clover Springs, Palomino Lakes and Highland Ranch

If you are a resident and would like to participate in the exercise:

Registration has officially closed. 

Registration is required in order to receive the alert for the exercise and fully participate (the contact information you provide will be for this community exercise only).

Registration period will end on Wednesday, May 15 , so please make sure you register on time!

Why: The purpose of this exercise is to familiarize residents with local designated routes for evacuation; safely practice evacuating residents using those routes; exercise our SoCo Alert system to notify participating residents and facilitate residents to register for the County’s alerting system.
When: Sunday, May 19 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Where: Cloverdale areas of Clover Springs, Palomino Lakes and Highland Ranch
Who: Residents of the Cloverdale areas of Clover Springs, Palomino Lakes and Highland Ranch

SoCo Alert

To prepare for and be notified of future emergencies, please sign up for SoCoAlert.

Filling out the exercise registration form will not sign you up for SoCoAlert.

Event map and Sequence

Familiarize yourself with the map below, which shows the exercise footprint, evacuation routes to be used and assembly point for this exercise. You may wish to print this map to reference it on the day of the exercise.

On the morning of, registered participants will receive a SoCo Alert notification on their phones prompting them to evacuate to the designated assembly point.

A Hi-Lo siren will also be employed by a public safety officer to alert participants of the start of the exercise.

Participants will evacuate and head towards the Cloverdale Citrus Fairgrounds at 1 Citrus Fair Drive in Cloverdale. Maps are included below. Evacuees will meet in the Cloverdale Citrus Fairgrounds Auditorium where they will be greeted by county disaster workers.

Upon arrival at the assembly point, participants may wish to stay longer and debrief about their experience, fill out a quick survey and engage with several community preparedness partners.

View full-sized map here:

Cloverdale Springs residents (click map to view larger version)

Palomino Lakes and Highland Ranch residents (click to view larger version)

Assembly Point

• Cloverdale Fairgrounds Auditorium, 1 Citrus Fair Drive, Cloverdale.
• Look for signs and directions on where to park.
• Event staff will also be present to assist with directions.

Other considerations

• Due to the nature of this exercise, it is advised not to bring your pet animals to the assembly point. However, we strongly encourage participants to take advantage of this exercise to think about/practice gathering the essential pet items needed in the event of a real evacuation.
• Participants should take this exercise seriously. Please don’t wait until the last minute to evacuate as it will defeat the purpose of this exercise. If you have any questions, please contact Andrea Strongman at andrea.strongman@sonoma-county.org

Please join us for the Fire and Earthquake Safety Expo following the evacuation exercise from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cloverdale Citrus Fair. Learn more at https://www.fireandearthquakeexpo.org/

The Sonoma County Spring Shake Out is an opportunity to participate in a countywide earthquake drill. During the Spring Shake Out you will have an opportunity to practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On!”, which is the recommended action to take when the earth shakes. All Sonoma County residents, along with their family and friends, are encouraged to participate. Wherever you are on April 18 at 10 a.m., “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” to prepare yourself for the next earthquake!

Register for the event today! 

• By registering for the Shake Out, you are one step closer to preparing yourself for a potential disaster and can have ease of mind knowing that you, along with your community members, are taking the necessary steps to get ready! 
• When registering for the event, you can also sign up to receive a SoCo Alert that will notify you when the Sonoma Spring Shake Out is taking place. 
• Registering for the event will give you the opportunity to enter a giveaway for a chance to win an Emergency Go Bag from the County of Sonoma, Department of Emergency Management!

Click here for a PDF of this flyer!

An earthquake can strike without warning, at any time of year, day or night. Everyone needs a plan that includes how to prepare, what to do when the ground starts to shake, and how to respond and help neighbors, families, and friends in the time immediately following a shake. At 10 a.m. on April 18  “Drop, Cover and Hold On” wherever you are!

Prepare NOW by following these preparedness tips on what to do during an earthquake:

1. Practice makes perfect! Practice the Drop, Cover, Hold On earthquake drill with family and neighbors. Hold on to any sturdy furniture until the shaking stops.
2. What could fall on you, your family, or pets in an earthquake? Secure items, such as televisions, and objects that hang on walls. Store heavy and breakable objects on low shelves.
3. Consider obtaining an earthquake insurance policy whether you own or rent your residence
4. Make sure you have supplies for the whole family for at least 7 days in your Shelter in Place Kit in case getting on the road is challenging
5. Learn more at SoCoEmergency’s Get Ready page.
6. If you live near or visit the coast, visit SoCoEmergency’s Tsunami Ready page.  

Complete survey after the exercise:

After participating in the alert and warning exercise, please complete the following short survey to provide feedback.

Complete the English survey online » https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WQ9B3DT

Complete the Spanish survey online » https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WQRMFB7

The County of Sonoma will conduct an emergency test alert and warning exercise from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 28. The exercise will consist of a targeted alert test of the Sonoma County Alert System (SoCoAlert) in the Town of Windsor and eight additional Sonoma County unincorporated zones, all of which border the Town of Windsor.

The SoCoAlert exercise will let emergency officials assess how the alert and warning system performs in reaching residents in the Town of Windsor and an additional eight designated zones in Sonoma County. It will also help residents experience a test of the alert and warning system.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., SoCoAlert messages will be sent to addresses within the in the Town of Windsor and in evacuation zones SON-2K3, SON-2L6, SON-2N1, SON-3B1, SON-3C1, SON-4A1, SON-4A2, and SON-4A3. Exercise activity is limited to participating agencies and communities. Starting at 11 a.m. a series of live test alerts will be launched in the targeted zones using SoCoAlert.

Look up your zone using the Know your Zone tool »

The SoCoAlert system records receipt/non-receipt automatically and County Department of Emergency Management staff will use the data from that to do their analysis.

What you can do

Residents are encouraged to register to receive SoCoAlerts and learn more about how they work and why they are crucial in an emergency or disaster. Only residents who live in the designated Windsor and Sonoma County evacuation zones will receive the SoCoAlert messages on Feb. 28. Residents who are not registered may still receive an alert in the form of a call because the SoCoAlert database also uses phone numbers from utility records and other public sources. Subscribers to SoCoAlert could get an alert via text or a phone call, depending on their account settings. Registering will help keep you and your family safe in the event of an emergency and allow you to receive alerts in a variety of ways.

Residents of the targeted alert zones in Windsor and Sonoma County need to make sure their phones and other devices will let them know when an alert is sent.

• In addition to registering for SoCoAlert, you can program the alert phone number (866-419-5000) in your cell phone so you will recognize and answer the call.
• Make sure your cell phone’s sounds are turned on.
• Be aware that airplane mode or “do not disturb” settings will prevent you from hearing an alert.

Do I need to report receiving an alert?

For alerts sent to the Town of Windsor and adjacent targeted zones, the SoCoAlert system automatically records whether or not the alert was received. County Department of Emergency Management staff will be using the data from those records to do their analysis. If you live in those areas, you are welcome to provide feedback about the exercise using the same phone number and email.

What if I do not receive an alert?
We would like to know if you do not receive an alert. You can either fill out the feedback link above or call us at (707) 565-1369. Due to the anticipated volume of phone calls, we may not be able to answer the phone immediately, but we will return all calls to that number.

What systems/procedures are being tested?

SoCoAlert (Sonoma County Alert System) alert and warning messages will be sent to assess the capabilities of the alert and warning system provider — CodeRED — to reach residents of Sonoma County in the Town of Windsor and selected Sonoma County evacuation zones that border the town. We will also be practicing sending multiple near-simultaneous alerts designed the “stress test” the system to ensure it is able to manage multiple alerting scenarios effectively.

If you are a resident and would like to participate in the drill:

Registration has officially closed. 

Registration is required in order to receive the alert for the exercise and fully participate (the contact information you provide will be for this community exercise only).

The registration period ended on Wednesday, June 7.

Why: The purpose of this exercise is to familiarize residents with local designated routes for evacuation; safely practice evacuating residents using those routes; exercise our SoCo Alert system to notify participating residents and facilitate residents to register for the County’s alerting system.

When: Sunday, June 11 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. for the exercise; optional preparedness fair from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Where: Upper Mark West Springs area along St. Helena and Calistoga Road from the Napa border in the East, Petrified Forest Road in the north and Harville Road in the South.

Who: Residents of the Upper Mark West Springs Watershed Community.

SoCo Alert

To prepare for and be notified of future emergencies, please sign up for SoCoAlert.

Filling out the exercise registration form will not sign you up for SoCoAlert.

Event map and Sequence

Familiarize yourself with the map below, which shows the exercise footprint, evacuation routes to be used and assembly point for this exercise. You may wish to print this map to reference it on the day of the exercise.

On the morning of, registered participants will receive a SoCo Alert notification on their phones prompting them to evacuate to the designated assembly point.

A Hi-Lo siren will also be employed by a public safety officer to alert participants of the start of the exercise.

Participants will evacuate using St. Helena Road and Calistoga Road south towards Santa Rosa. A map is included below. Evacuees will meet in the Maria Carrillo High School parking lot where they will be greeted by county disaster workers.

Upon arrival at the assembly point, participants may wish to stay longer and debrief about their experience, fill out a quick survey and engage with several community preparedness partners who will be in an outdoor setup with information and resources to hand out.

Download copy of Mark West Springs area evacuation exercise map »

View full-sized map here:

Assembly Point

• Maria Carillo High School (main parking lot) at 6975 Montecito Blvd. in Santa Rosa.
• Look for signs and directions on where to park.
• Event staff will also be present to assist with directions.

If you have any questions, please contact James Cooper at James.Cooper@sonoma-county.org

Complete survey after the exercise:

After participating in the alert and warning exercise, please complete the following short survey to provide feedback.

Complete the English survey online »

Complete la encuesta en línea en español »

The County of Sonoma will conduct an emergency test alert and warning exercise at noon on March 30. The exercise will be comprised of a targeted alert test of the Sonoma County Alert System (SoCoAlert) in specified areas in northwest Sonoma County.

The SoCoAlert exercise will let emergency officials assess how the alert and warning system performs in reaching residents in 11 designated zones of northwest Sonoma County. It will also help residents experience a test of the alert and  warning system.

Starting at noon, SoCoAlert messages will be sent to addresses within the northwest Sonoma County south of Mendocino County, west of Highway 101, east of the Pacific Ocean and north of the Stewarts Point – Skaggs Springs Road/Canyon Road. This area encompasses in part the neighborhoods of Sea Ranch (zones 1A1 and 1A2), Annapolis (zones 1B1 and 1B2), Mount Tom and Kelly Road (zone 1B3) areas around Lake Sonoma (zones 1B4, 2A2, 2A3, 2A4), and north and south of Cloverdale (zones 2A1 and 2F1). The incorporated city of Cloverdale will NOT be in this exercise at this time. Exercise activity is limited to participating agencies and communities. Starting at noon a series of live test alert will be launched in the targeted zones using SoCoAlert.

The SoCoAlert system records receipt/non-receipt automatically and County Department of Emergency Management staff will use the data from that to do their analysis.

What you can do

Residents are encouraged to register to receive SoCoAlerts and learn more about how they work and why they are crucial in an emergency or disaster. Only residents who live in the designated northwest Sonoma evacuation zones will receive the SoCoAlert messages on March 30. Residents who are not registered may still receive an alert in the form of a call because the SoCoAlert database also uses phone numbers from utility records and other public sources. Subscribers to SoCoAlert could get an alert via text, a phone call or an email, depending on their account settings. Registering will help keep you and your family safe in the event of an emergency and allow you to receive alerts in a variety of ways.

Residents of the targeted alert zones in northwest Sonoma County need to make sure their phones and other devices will let them know when an alert is sent.

• In addition to registering for SoCoAlert, you can program the alert phone number (866-419-5000) in your cell phone so you will recognize and answer the call.
• Make sure your cell phone’s sounds are turned on.
• Be aware that airplane mode or “do not disturb” settings will prevent you from hearing an alert.

Do I need to report receiving an alert?

For alerts sent to the northwest Sonoma County targeted zones, the SoCoAlert system automatically records whether or not the alert was received. County Department of Emergency Management staff will be using the data from those records to do their analysis. If you live in those areas, you are welcome to provide feedback about the exercise using the same phone number and email.

What if I do not receive an alert?

We would like to know if you do not receive an alert. You can either fill out the feedback link above or call us at 707-565-1369. Due to the anticipated volume of phone calls, we may not be able to answer the phone immediately, but we will return all calls to that number.

What systems/procedures are being tested?

SoCoAlert (Sonoma County Alert System) alert and warning messages will be sent to assess the capabilities of the alert and warning system provider — CodeRED — to reach residents of Sonoma County in rural areas. We will also be practicing sending multiple near-simultaneous alerts designed the “stress test” the system to ensure it is able to manage multiple alerting scenarios effectively.

The NOAA weather alert exercise for March 29, 2023 has been cancelled.

If you are a resident and would like to participate in the drill:

Registration is now closed.

Registration is required in order to receive the alert for the exercise and fully participate (the contact information you provide will be for this community exercise only).

Registration period will end on Wednesday, June 15th (five days prior to the event) so please make sure you register on time!

Why: The purpose of this exercise is to familiarize residents with local designated routes for evacuation; safely practice evacuating residents using those routes; exercise our SoCo Alert system to notify participating residents and facilitate residents to register for the County’s alerting system.

When: Saturday, June 18th from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. PDT

Where: Cazadero Community, along Cazadero Highway, Austin Creek Road, from Highway 116 to Bei Road, including Fort Ross Road, Mohrhardt Ridge Road and King Ridge Road areas

Who: Permanent and seasonal residents of the Cazadero Community

SoCo Alert

To prepare for and be notified of future emergencies, please sign up for SoCoAlert

Filling out the exercise registration form will not sign you up for SoCo Alert.

Event map and Sequence

Familiarize yourself with the map below, which shows the exercise footprint, evacuation routes to be used and assembly point for this exercise. You may wish to print this map to reference it on the day of the exercise.

On the morning of, registered participants will receive a SoCo Alert notification on their phones prompting them to evacuate to the designated assembly point.

A Hi-Lo siren will also be employed by a public safety officer to alert participants of the start of the exercise.

Participants will evacuate using the following designated local area routes:

Head to Cazadero Highway and go south until Highway 116. Continue on Highway 116 to Monte Rio. Right turn at Bohemian Highway to the assembly point: Monte Rio Recreation and Park District Parking lot

Upon arrival at the assembly point, participants may wish to stay longer and debrief about their experience, fill out a quick survey and engage with several community preparedness partners who will be in an outdoor setup with information and resources to hand out.

Participants should take this exercise seriously. Please don’t wait until the last minute to evacuate as it will defeat the purpose of this exercise.

Assembly Point

• Monte Rio Community Center, 20488 Highway 116, Monte Rio, CA 95462.
• Look for signs and directions on where to park.
• Event staff will also be present to assist with directions.

COVID-19 and other considerations

• This exercise will comply with the County’s COVID-19 public health protocols throughout this exercise.
• All participants may wear mask/face covering and practice social distancing when not in their vehicles.
• Due to the nature of this exercise, it is advised not to bring your pet animals to the assembly point. However, we strongly encourage participants to take advantage of this exercise to think about/practice gathering the essential pet items needed in the event of a real evacuation.

If you have any questions, please contact Jorge Rodriguez at Jorge.Rodriguez@sonoma-county.org

If you are a resident and would like to participate in the drill:

• Registration has now closed

Registration is required in order to receive the alert for the exercise and fully participate (the contact information you provide will be for this community exercise only).

Registration period will end on Friday, May 20 at 3 p.m. (Two days prior to the event) so please make sure you register on time!

Why: The purpose of this exercise is to familiarize residents with local designated routes for evacuation; safely practice evacuating residents using those routes; exercise our SoCo Alert system to notify participating residents and facilitate residents to register for the County’s alerting system.

When: Sunday, May 22 starting at 9:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. PDT

Where: Diamond A and Grove Street neighborhoods in Sonoma

Who: Permanent and seasonal residents of the Diamond A and Grove Street neighborhoods

SoCo Alert

To prepare for and be notified of future emergencies, please sign up for SoCoAlert.

Filling out the exercise registration form will not sign you up for SoCo Alert.

Event map and Sequence

Familiarize yourself with the map below, which shows the exercise footprint, evacuation routes to be used and assembly point for this exercise. You may wish to print this map to reference it on the day of the exercise.

On the morning of, registered participants will receive a SoCo Alert notification on their phones prompting them to evacuate to the designated assembly point.

A Hi-Lo siren will also be employed by a public safety officer to alert participants of the start of the exercise.

Participants will evacuate using the following designated evacuation routes:

From Grove Street: right on Arnold Dr, left on Leveroni Rd, left on Broadway and right into the parking lot of Sonoma Valley High School.

Upon arrival at the assembly point, participants may wish to stay longer and debrief about their experience, fill out a quick survey and engage with several community preparedness partners who will be in an outdoor setup with information and resources to hand out.

Download copy of Diamond A/Grove Street Community Evacuation Exercise Map (PDF: 1 MB) »

View full-sized map here »

Assembly Point

• Sonoma Valley High School (main parking lot), 20000 Broadway, Sonoma, CA, 95476.
• Look for signs and directions on where to park.
• Event staff will also be present to assist with directions.

COVID-19 and other considerations

• This exercise will comply with the County’s COVID-19 public health protocols throughout this exercise.
• Participants may wear mask/face covering and practice social distancing when not in their vehicles.
• Due to the nature of this exercise, it is advised not to bring your pet animals to the assembly point. However, we strongly encourage participants to take advantage of this exercise to think about/practice gathering the essential pet items needed in the event of a real evacuation.
• Participants should take this exercise seriously. Please don’t wait until the last minute to evacuate as it will defeat the purpose of this exercise.

If you have any questions, please contact James Cooper at James.Cooper@sonoma-county.org

Complete survey after the exercise:

After you have participated in the exercise, please complete the following short survey to provide feedback on the alert and warning exercise.

Complete the English survey online »

Complete the Spanish survey online »

The County of Sonoma and Sonoma Valley partners will conduct an emergency alert and warning exercise on April 30. The exercise will be comprised of targeted alert tests of the Sonoma County Alert System (SoCoAlert) in specified areas of Sonoma Valley.

The SoCoAlert exercise will let emergency officials assess how the alert and warning system performs in reaching residents in five designated zones of the Sonoma Valley. It will also help residents experience a test of the alert & warning system.

Starting at noon, SoCoAlert messages will be sent to addresses within the Sonoma Valley neighborhoods of Glen Ellen between Arnold Drive and Highway 12 (Zone 6A5), Eldridge between Arnold Drive and Highway 12 (Zone 6A5), and the communities of Agua Caliente, Fetters Hot Springs, Boyes Hot Springs and El Verano East of Arnold Drive (Zones 6E1, 6E2 and 6F2.) Exercise activity is limited to participating agencies and communities.

• At 12 p.m. a live alert will be launched in the targeted zones using SoCoAlert.

The SoCoAlert system records receipt/non-receipt automatically and County Department of Emergency Management staff will use the data from that to do their analysis.

What you can do

Residents are encouraged to register to receive SoCoAlerts and learn more about how they work and why they are crucial in an emergency or disaster. Only residents who live in the designated Sonoma Valley evacuation zones will receive the SoCoAlert messages on April 30. Residents who are not registered may still receive an alert in the form of a call because the SoCoAlert database also uses phone numbers from utility records and other public sources. Subscribers to SoCoAlert could get an alert via text, a phone call or an email, depending on their account settings. Registering will help keep you and your family safe in the event of an emergency and allow you to receive alerts in a variety of ways.

Residents of the targeted alert zones in Sonoma Valley need to make sure their phones and other devices will let them know when an alert is sent.

• In addition to registering for SoCoAlert, you can program the alert phone number (866-419-5000) in your cell phone so you will recognize and answer the call.
• Make sure your cell phone’s sounds are turned on.
• Be aware that airplane mode or “do not disturb” settings will prevent you from hearing an alert.

Do I need to report receiving an alert?

For alerts sent to the Sonoma Valley targeted zones, the SoCoAlert system automatically records whether or not the alert was received. County Department of Emergency Management staff will be using the data from those records to do their analysis. If you live in the those areas, you are welcome to provide feedback about the exercise using the same phone number and email.

What systems/procedures are being tested?

SoCoAlert (Sonoma County Alert System) alert and warning messages will be sent to assess the capabilities of the alert and warning system provider — CodeRED — to reach residents of Sonoma County with an emphasis on testing the efficacy in communicating with the Spanish-speaking community. CodeRED is the County’s current alert system provider.

The County of Sonoma and the National Weather Service will conduct an emergency alert exercise on April 29. The exercise will be a countywide test of the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Weather Radio alert system.

What you can do

All Sonoma County residents who own a NOAA Weather Radio should make sure their device is plugged in, with backup batteries installed, and set up per the radio manufacturer instructions. If you are a resident of unincorporated Sonoma County with a NOAA weather radio, be aware that a test alert will be sent at noon to your radio receiver.

Do I need to report receiving an alert?

You can call or email the Department of Emergency Management to report receiving or not receiving the message via your radio and offer other feedback. You can call 707-565-1369 and leave a message. You can email info@socoalert.com. Please include where you live.

What will the weather radio alert message say?

As this will be a live test, to prevent the chance of confusion or misinterpretation of alerts causing panic, the only message sent will clearly identify itself as a test alert and will not attempt to convey any information regarding a threat of disaster or actions to be taken. The NWR warning alarm will sound one time, then be followed by a short test message, and then a closing alarm tone. This test message will be transmitted as a Civil Emergency Message and the words “Civil Emergency Message” may scroll across the NWR displays of compatible radios. The NWR test cycle will play through only one time.

TEST TEST TEST The following message is transmitted at the request of the Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management. This is a test of the NOAA Weather Radio warning alarm signal in support of Sonoma County. No action is required. Repeat. No action is required. This has been a test of the NOAA Weather Radio warning alarm signal in support of Sonoma County. We will now resume regular programming. TEST TEST TEST

What can you do to participate?

Obtain a NOAA Weather Radio (NWR).The Non-Weather Emergency Message system also will be used to send a message to ensure the auxiliary alert system is fully functional. The message can be received by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Weather Radios. The Non-Weather Emergency Message portion of the exercise will be broadcast to all of Sonoma County.  The transmitter is on Sonoma Mountain, which means some parts of the county will not receive the alerts. Be sure the weather radio you obtain has the “public alert” logo.

What systems/procedures are being tested?

The Non-Weather Emergency Message system will be used to send a message to ensure the auxiliary alert system is fully functional. The message can be received by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Weather Radios. The Non-Weather Emergency Message portion of the exercise will be broadcast to all of Sonoma County. The transmitter is on Sonoma Mountain, which means some parts of the county will not receive the alerts.

An earthquake can strike without warning, at any time of year, day or night. Everyone needs a plan that includes how to prepare, what to do when the ground starts to shake, and how to respond and help neighbors, families, and friends in the time immediately following a shake. The Shake Out is an opportunity to practice Drop Cover Hold On, which is the recommended action to stay safe when the earth shakes. At 10:00am on April 18th Drop Cover and Hold On where ever you are, to help you be ready in the next earthquake.

The following are some preparedness tips on what to do during an earthquake:

Prepare NOW

1. Practice makes perfect! Practice the Drop, Cover, Hold On earthquake drill with family and neighbors. Hold on to any sturdy furniture until the shaking stops.
2. What could fall on you, your family, or pets in an earthquake? Secure items, such as televisions, and objects that hang on walls. Store heavy and breakable objects on low shelves.
3. Consider obtaining an earthquake insurance policy whether you own or rent your residence
4. Make sure you have supplies for the whole family for at least 7 days in your Shelter in Place Kit in case getting on the road is challenging
5. Learn more at SoCoEmergency.org/get-ready
6. If you live near or visit the coast, be sure to learn more about Tsunami https://socoemergency.org/get-ready/local-hazards/tsunami/

Download and Print these posters to spread the word:

Sonoma ShakeOut_Global_Poster_English_GetReady_Color

Sonoma ShakeOut_Global_Poster_English_ProtectYourself_18APR2022

The County of Sonoma, City of Santa Rosa, and the National Weather Service will conduct an emergency alert and warning exercise on August 17. The exercise includes a countywide test of the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Weather Radio alert system as well as targeted alert tests of the Sonoma County Alert System (SoCoAlert) in Santa Rosa.

The SoCoAlert exercise will let emergency officials compare how two alert and warning system providers perform in reaching residents in two designated Santa Rosa evacuation zones.

Starting at noon, the exercise will test the Non-Weather Emergency Message system, sending alerts to anyone in Sonoma County who has a NOAA Weather Radio, as an auxiliary alerting system.

SoCoAlert messages will be sent to addresses within the City of Santa Rosa’s Montecito Heights and Fountaingrove 2 designated evacuation zones. One zone will receive alerts via CodeRED, the County’s provider. The other neighborhood will receive alerts via Everbridge, which is an alert provider that the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) is considering and has made available to Sonoma County to test as part of a pilot program.

• At 1 p.m. a live alert will be launched in the Montecito Heights zone using Everbridge.
• At 1:15 p.m. a live alert will be launched in the Fountaingrove 2 zone using CodeRED.

The SoCoAlert system records receipt/non-receipt automatically and County  Department of Emergency Management staff will use the data from that to do their analysis.

What you can do

Residents are encouraged to register to receive SoCoAlerts and learn more about how they work and why they are crucial in an emergency or disaster. Residents who are not registered may still receive an alert in the form of a call because the SoCoAlert database also uses phone numbers from utility records and other public sources. Subscribers to SoCoAlert could get an alert via text, a phone call or an email, depending on their account settings.

All Sonoma County residents who own a NOAA Weather Radio should make sure their device is plugged in, with backup batteries installed, and set up per the radio manufacturer instructions. If you are a resident of unincorporated Sonoma County with a NOAA weather radio, be aware that a test alert will be sent at noon to your radio receiver.

Residents of the two alert zones in Santa Rosa need to make sure their phones and other devices will let them know when an alert is sent.

• In addition to registering for SoCoAlert, you can program the alert phone number (866-419-5000) in your cell phone so you will recognize and answer the call.
• Make sure your cell phone’s sounds are turned on.
• Be aware that airplane mode or “do not disturb” settings will prevent you from hearing an alert.

Why: The purpose of this exercise is to familiarize residents with local designated routes for evacuation; safely practice evacuating residents using those routes; exercise our SoCo Alert system to notify participating residents and facilitate residents to register for the County’s alerting system.

When: Saturday, June 5th from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00am PDT

Where: Fitch Mountain Community

Who: Permanent and seasonal residents of the Fitch Mountain Community

If you are a resident and would like to participate in the drill:

• Registration has now closed
• Registration is required in order to receive the alert for the exercise and fully participate (the contact information you provide will be for this community exercise only).
• Registration period will end on Thursday, June 3rd (two days prior to the event) so please make sure you register on time!

SoCo Alert

• To prepare for and be notified of future emergencies, please sign up for SoCoAlert
• Filling out the exercise registration form will not sign you up for SoCo Alert.

Event map and Sequence

• Familiarize yourself with the map below, which shows the exercise footprint, evacuation routes to be used and assembly point for this exercise. You may wish to print this map to reference it on the day of the exercise.
• On the morning of, registered participants will receive a SoCo Alert notification on their phones prompting them to evacuate to the designated assembly point.
• A Hi-Lo siren will also be employed by a public safety officer to alert participants of the start of the exercise.
• Participants will evacuate using the following designated evacuation routes:
  • From N. Fitch Mountain Rd: continue onto Powell Ave., turn right on Healdsburg Ave. towards the assembly point.
  • From S. Fitch Mountain Rd: continue onto Matheson St., turn right on Healdsburg Ave. towards the assembly point.
• Upon arrival at the assembly point, participants may wish to stay longer and debrief about their experience, fill out a quick survey and engage with several community preparedness partners who will be in an outdoor setup with information and resources to hand out.

Assembly Point

• Healdsburg Community Center located at 1557 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, CA 95448
• Look for signs and directions on where to park.
• Event staff will also be present to assist with directions.

COVID-19 and other considerations

• This exercise will comply with the County’s COVID-19 public health protocols throughout this exercise.
• All participants must wear mask/face covering and practice social distancing when not in their vehicles.
• Due to the nature of this exercise, it is advised not to bring your pet animals to the assembly point. However, we strongly encourage participants to take advantage of this exercise to think about/practice gathering the essential pet items needed in the event of a real evacuation.
• Participants should take this exercise seriously. Please don’t wait until the last minute to evacuate as it will defeat the purpose of this exercise.

If you have any questions, please contact Richard Diaz at Richard.Diaz@sonoma-county.org

Why Participate? This is a great opportunity for you and your family to practice evacuating your home and neighborhood. It also helps familiarize you with your local roads available for evacuation. For public safety agencies, it provides a safe environment to practice evacuating residents using those routes and exercise our SoCo Alert notification system.

When: Saturday, June 19 at 9 a.m. PDT

Where: Camp Meeker & Occidental area residents will practice evacuating and travel to the Sebastopol Center for the Arts, located at 282 S High St, Sebastopol

Who can participate: Residents of Camp Meeker and Occidental area neighborhoods are welcome to participate! Be sure to register to receive the alert of when the drill starts.

If you are a resident and would like to participate in the drill:

1. Fill out the registration form online. The contact numbers you provide are for this drill only. Registration is encouraged to receive the alert for the drill and fully participate.

Registration closed

2. Make a print of the area roads map and draw out your own evacuation routes. Think about roads that you might not normally use everyday.

3. Make note or print the information below so you can reference it on the day of the drill.

What to Expect on Drill Day – Saturday, June 19th

1. On the day of the drill, you will receive a SoCo Alert on your phone announcing the beginning of the drill and an exercise message. The phone number will come up as: (866) 419-5000
2. Practice as if this were a real emergency by immediately evacuating your home and go to the Meeting Location which will be at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts (282 S High St, Sebastopol). From Bodega Ave, turn onto Jewell Ave, left to Willow Street, then left to S High St. Signs will be visible to direct you.
   
3. At the Sebastopol Center for the Arts, you will be given a survey with general questions about your evacuation planning and about the exercise. Survey will close Monday, June 21 at 12PM

4. To prepare for future emergencies, please sign up for SoCoAlert. Filling out the Drill Registration form will NOT sign you up for SoCo Alert.

Please be aware there will be increased traffic on roads including Public Safety vehicles that may be using the Hi-Lo emergency sirens. Please be aware of the increased traffic for your safety and the safety of others.

If you have any questions, please call Jorge Rodriguez at 707-565-6095 or email at Jorge.Rodriguez@sonoma-county.org.

Frequently Asked Questions