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Los Angeles County hurricane guide

The Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office, Office of Emergency Management runs Alert LA County and the Ready LA County site. The county lists flooding and debris and mudflows among its hazards. Flash floods can develop in minutes, and heavy rain on recently burned hillsides can trigger mud and debris flows, which eastern Pacific tropical storm remains can bring.

Checked on October 10, 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 Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office, Office of Emergency Management. In a life threatening emergency, call 911.

What to know in Los Angeles County

  • The county says you can be knocked off your feet in as little as 6 inches of moving water. Do not drive or walk through moving water, never drive around barricades, and go to higher ground if caught by rising water.
  • For debris and mudflows, the county says more than three to four inches of rain per day, or half an inch per hour, have been known to trigger flows, and urges you to watch the Public Works Debris and Mudflow Potential Forecast. Call 800-933-0930 to speak to a Public Works engineer.
  • Free sand and sandbags are available at your local fire station, and the county lists sandbag locations on its Public Works sandbag dashboard.

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 323-980-2260 Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management. Office line. Not for emergencies.
Sheriff's Office 213-229-1700 Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department headquarters. Office line. Not for emergencies. For non-emergency police matters, the department points you to your local station.
Mud and debris flow advice 800-933-0930 Los Angeles County Public Works engineer line for mud and debris flow advice.

Official alerts and information

  • Alert LA County: Free alerts by text, email, or phone. Sign up before a storm. Many cities run their own alert systems, listed on the county's Emergency Notifications page. Website.
  • Ready LA County flooding guidance: The county's flood safety page. Website.
  • Ready LA County debris and mudflow guidance: The county's debris and mudflow safety page. Website.
  • LA County Emergency page: The county's page for active incidents. 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.

Los Angeles County says its Emergency page carries details on evacuations, shelters, road closures, and other incident information during active incidents. Check that page and Alert LA County. Do not go to a site until it is announced. The county's Winter Shelter program is for adults experiencing homelessness, and 211 can help with emergency shelter.

Official list of open evacuation centers

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.

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Sources

Checked on October 10, 2026. If a number or address here is wrong, please tell us at Keith@KMyers.me.