Skip to content

Imperial County hurricane guide

The Imperial County Office of Emergency Services (OES) is run with the Imperial County Fire Department and sets up the county Emergency Operations Center when county emergency management directs. Imperial County is desert and far inland, so the risk from a tropical storm is heavy rain, flash flooding, and washed-out roads, not storm surge. The county has given out free sand and sandbags ahead of heavy rain, and says to take only what you need.

Checked on October 9, 2026

Every phone number and web address on this page was checked against official sources on that date. Details can change, especially during a storm. Always follow instructions from Imperial County Office of Emergency Services. In a life threatening emergency, call 911.

What to know in Imperial County

  • In October 2026, ahead of a forecast increase in moisture that could bring heavy rain and possible flooding, the county Fire Department and OES made free sand and sandbags available for self-serve pickup, limited to 10 sandbags per household, with no staff on site. This was a past announcement, so check county news for current offers.

Emergency and information numbers

Service Number Notes
Emergency 911 Police, fire, and ambulance. Call only when someone's life or property is in danger.
Emergency management office 442-265-6000 Imperial County Fire Department and OES. Office line. Not for emergencies.
Sheriff's Office non-emergency 442-265-2021 For police matters that are not emergencies. This is the sheriff's non-emergency dispatch line.

Official alerts and information

  • Imperial County Office of Emergency Services: The county's emergency services page, with Emergency Operations Center information. Website.
  • Free Sandbags and Sand Available (county news): The county's October 2026 sandbag notice, an example of how it announces flood preparation. Website.

Evacuation centers

Open only when announced

Evacuation centers open only when officials announce them, and not every center opens for every storm. Check the official list of open centers before you leave home. Bring your own bedding, food, water, and medicines.

The county pages checked do not list shelters. During a flood or other disaster, shelter locations are announced for that event. Do not go to a site until the county announces it. Check county news and the Office of Emergency Services page.

Cities and towns

Each city has its own services and some have their own alerts. The county's evacuation zones, evacuation centers, and emergency alerts cover everyone, in every city and in unincorporated areas.

Sources

Checked on October 9, 2026. If a number or address here is wrong, please tell us at Keith@KMyers.me.