• Sign Up for ALERT King County to receive emergency updates via text or email.
• Subscribe to the City of Issaquah’s Notify Me® system for city-specific alerts.
• Ensure your phone’s Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are turned on in settings.
• Install the FEMA App for personalized alerts and disaster info.
• Add ShakeAlert or a compatible app for alerts on significant earthquakes.
• Check local media channels:
  • Follow the City of Issaquah on X (formerly Twitter) for real-time updates.
  • Tune in to 1700 AM, Issaquah’s official emergency radio station.
  • Watch ICTV Channel 21 for televised emergency notices.
  • Visit the City of Issaquah website and Alert Center for official updates.

When disasters strike, cell networks and landlines can quickly become overloaded or fail. Having a plan before an emergency will help you reconnect with loved ones faster.

1. Agree on an Out-of-Area Contact

• Choose a friend or relative who lives outside your city or state.
• Everyone in your household should have their name, phone number, email and mailing address written down (not just stored in a phone).
• In many cases, long-distance calls go through when local calls can’t.

2. Use Text Messaging First

• If service is spotty, text messages often get through when calls fail because they use less bandwidth.
• Keep messages short: “I’m OK – at home” or “Need help – at shelter.”

3. Try Email or Messaging Apps Over Wi-Fi

• If cellular service is down but you have Wi-Fi, use email, social media direct messages, or apps like WhatsApp, Signal or Facebook Messenger.

4. Meet at Pre-Planned Locations

• Choose at least two meeting places:
  1. Nearby (for sudden emergencies like a house fire)
  2. Farther away (in case your neighborhood is not accessible)

5. Keep Backup Communication Tools

• Consider having a battery-powered or crank radio to hear public announcements.
• Two-way radios (FRS/GMRS) can work locally when phones fail.

6. Practice Your Plan

• Test your out-of-area contact system at least once a year so everyone knows what to do.

When the power’s out, your garage door opener won’t work — but you can open it manually if it’s safe. Never force the door or tamper with springs. Call a pro if unsure.

1. Check Safety First
   Look for hazards like downed wires, debris or damage. Only proceed if clear.
2. Find the Emergency Release Cord
   Inside the garage, locate the red cord hanging from the opener rail. t disconnects the door from the opener.
3. Disengage the Opener
   Close the door fully, pull the cord down, then toward the door. You should feel it click into manual mode.
4. Lift the Door by Hand
   Grip from the bottom center with both hands. If it’s heavy or stuck, stop, the springs may be broken.
5. Close & Secure
   Lower gently and lock with a padlock or slide lock if leaving in manual mode.
6. Reconnect When Power Returns
   Pull the cord toward the opener, then press the opener button to re-engage.

Always run your generator outdoors—never indoors, in garages or enclosed porches. This prevents carbon monoxide poisoning. Plug appliances directly into the generator, not your home’s wiring (unless it’s professionally installed).

ARC Rules: Portable generators for power outages do not require ARC approval. Whole house units must be approved by the ARC prior to installation and have a noise rating below 75 decibels.

Gas leaks can lead to dangerous explosions or carbon monoxide poisoning. If you smell gas (like rotten eggs) or hear a hissing sound near your gas lines, act fast:

1. Locate your gas meter. It’s usually outside your home near the foundation or in a utility box.
2. Find the shut-off valve. It’s a metal knob or lever connected to the pipe coming out of the ground.
3. Use a wrench to turn the valve 90 degrees, so it’s perpendicular (crosswise) to the pipe. This shuts off the gas flow.

Only turn off your gas if you suspect a leak. Never turn it back on yourself. Always wait for a professional to inspect the system and restore service safely.

After a natural disaster, especially flooding or an earthquake, live wires can pose a serious shock or fire hazard.

1. Locate your main breaker panel. This is usually inside a garage, utility room or mounted outside the house.
2. Open the panel door and identify the main breaker switch. It’s typically the largest switch, labeled “Main.”
3. Flip the main breaker to the “OFF” position. This cuts all power to your home.

Tip: Keep a flashlight near your breaker box so you’re not fumbling in the dark.

Burst pipes and leaks can flood your home and rack up thousands in damage. If you’re evacuating due to a freeze, flood or major leak, shut off the water at the source:

1. Find the main water shut-off valve. It’s often near your water meter—usually in the basement, crawlspace or near where the main water line enters your home.
2. Turn the valve clockwise until it stops. This will halt the flow of water to your entire house.

Tip: Label your water shut-off valve ahead of time and show other household members how to use it.

During an outage:

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed.
• A full freezer will keep food frozen for about 48 hours (24 hours if half-full) if the door stays closed.
• An unopened refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours.
• Keep foods close together in the freezer to help them stay cold longer.
• Place block ice, bags of ice, or dry ice in the fridge/freezer to extend cold times.

After an outage:

• Discard perishable foods left above 40°F for more than two hours.
• If freezer food still has ice crystals and is 40°F or colder, it’s safe to refreeze or cook.
• When in doubt, throw it out! Don’t taste food to check safety.
• Meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, dairy, cooked leftovers and cut produce spoil fastest.

• Minimum: one gallon per person per day.
• Store at least three days’ worth; two weeks is better.
• Increase amounts for:
  • Hot climates
  • Pregnant/nursing people
  • Medical needs
  • Pets (add one gallon per pet per day)

Keep water in food-grade containers and store them in a cool, dark place. Replace every six months if not commercially bottled.

1. Filter First

• Remove dirt, debris or cloudiness before disinfecting.
• Pour water through a clean cloth, coffee filter, or paper towel into a clean container.

2. Boil (Best Method)

• Bring water to a rolling boil for at least 1 full minute (3 minutes at altitudes above 6,500 ft).
• Let it cool before drinking.

3. Disinfect with Unscented Bleach

• Use regular household bleach (5–9% sodium hypochlorite).
• Add eight drops (about ⅛ tsp) per gallon of clear water.
• If water is cloudy, use 16 drops per gallon.
• Stir and let sit 30 minutes before drinking. Water should have a slight chlorine smell.

4. Portable Water Filters

• Use filters labeled to remove bacteria and protozoa (and viruses if possible).
• Follow manufacturer instructions and, if possible, add chemical disinfection after filtering for extra safety.