ACTION NEWS 8 REPORTER ááBROOKE KINEBREW IS LIVE IN SALINAS WITH THE LATEST.. GOOD MORNING PAUL AND LAUREN… ALL MONTH, THE COUNTY OF MONTEREY HAS BEEN GIVING TIPS ABOUT STAYING READY FOR HAZARDS AND DISASTERS.. WITH COLLEGE STUDENTS RETURNING TO CLASS.. OR LIVING ON THEIR OWN FOR THE FIRST TIME.. THE COUNTY OF MONTEREY DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SAYS THERE ARE LOW COST AND FREE WAYS TO PREPARE THAT AREN’T TIME CONSUMING.. THEY RECOMMEND CREATING GO-BAGS WITH 10 ESSENTIAL ITEMS, MANY OF WHICH CAN BE FOUND AT THRIFT SHOPS.. YOU NEED A STURDY BAG, WATER, NON PERISHABLE FOOD, A CAN OPENER, CASH, A HARD COPY LIST OF EMERGENCY CONTACTS, A MULTI-TOOL FLASH LIGHT, FOIL BLANKETS FOR WARMTH AND SHELTER.. AND ALSO HAVING RENTERS INSURANCE.. <SOMETIMES IT MIGHT BE GREAT TO ASK FOR THOSE AS HOLIDAY GIFTS FROM YOUR PARENTS OR FROM OTHER PEOPLE. IT MIGHT NOT BE THE MOST FUN GIFT TO GET, BUT IT IS REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE.> <IT DOES MAKE A MASSIVE DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF YOUR ABILITY TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR COMMUNITY, AND IN TERMS OF FEELING IN CONTROL DURING A DISASTER, WHICH HONESTLY FOR MANY IS A REALLY INSURMOUNTABLE OR DIFFICULT CHALLENGE BECAUSE YOU FEEL LIKE SO MANY THINGS ARE OUT OF YOUR CONTROL.> THE COUNTY’S WEBSITE HAS INFORMATION ON EMERGENCY SEASON HAZARDS.. THE ALERT AND WARNING SYSTEM.. DAILY WILDLIFE INTERACTION AND SAFE PRACTICES.. AND KNOWING WHAT ZONE YOU LIVE IN WHEN ALERTS ARE SENT OUT.. THERE’S ALSO C-S-U-M-B’S SAFE APP.. AND ALERT MONTEREY.. I’LL HAVE THAT INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE.. PAUL…LAUREN BACK TO YOU A MAJOR SHAKEUP
Monterey County offers tips for college students to prepare for emergencies
As college students return to class, Monterey County’s Department of Emergency Management provides guidance on creating affordable emergency go bags.
Updated: 1:25 PM PDT Sep 24, 2025
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September marks Preparedness Month in California, aiming to raise awareness about staying ready for hazards and disasters, and Monterey County’s Department of Emergency Management is offering tips for college students living independently for the first time.With students returning to class, the department highlights low-cost and free ways to prepare that are not time-consuming. For those living with roommates, the county recommends assembling go bags with 10 essential items, many of which can be found at thrift shops. These essentials include a sturdy bag, water, non-perishable food, a can opener, cash, a hard copy list of emergency contacts, a multi-tool flashlight, foil blankets for warmth and shelter, and renters’ insurance.Samantha Young said, “Sometimes it might be great to ask for those as holiday gifts from your parents or from other people. It might not be the most fun gift to get, but it is really, really important to have,” County of Monterey, Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Planner Samantha Young said. “It does make a massive difference in terms of your ability to protect yourself and your community, and in terms of feeling in control during a disaster, which, honestly, for many is a really insurmountable or difficult challenge because you feel like so many things are out of your control.”The county’s website provides information on emergency season hazards, the alert and warning system, daily wildlife interactions, and safe practices, as well as guidance on identifying your zone when alerts are issued. Additional resources include the CSUMB Safe app, Alert Monterey, and the Genasys app.Resources:Know Your ZoneCounty Preparedness and Emergency SiteAlert Monterey Sign Up
September marks Preparedness Month in California, aiming to raise awareness about staying ready for hazards and disasters, and Monterey County’s Department of Emergency Management is offering tips for college students living independently for the first time.
With students returning to class, the department highlights low-cost and free ways to prepare that are not time-consuming.
For those living with roommates, the county recommends assembling go bags with 10 essential items, many of which can be found at thrift shops.
These essentials include a sturdy bag, water, non-perishable food, a can opener, cash, a hard copy list of emergency contacts, a multi-tool flashlight, foil blankets for warmth and shelter, and renters’ insurance.
Samantha Young said, “Sometimes it might be great to ask for those as holiday gifts from your parents or from other people. It might not be the most fun gift to get, but it is really, really important to have,” County of Monterey, Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Planner Samantha Young said. “It does make a massive difference in terms of your ability to protect yourself and your community, and in terms of feeling in control during a disaster, which, honestly, for many is a really insurmountable or difficult challenge because you feel like so many things are out of your control.”
The county’s website provides information on emergency season hazards, the alert and warning system, daily wildlife interactions, and safe practices, as well as guidance on identifying your zone when alerts are issued.
Additional resources include the CSUMB Safe app, Alert Monterey, and the Genasys app.
Resources:
Know Your Zone
County Preparedness and Emergency Site
Alert Monterey Sign Up
Alice J. Roden started working for Trending Insurance News at the end of 2021. Alice grew up in Salt Lake City, UT. A writer with a vast insurance industry background Alice has help with several of the biggest insurance companies. Before joining Trending Insurance News, Alice briefly worked as a freelance journalist for several radio stations. She covers home, renters and other property insurance stories.