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  2. Evacuation Zones

Pre-Planned Evacuation Zones

In the event of a large-scale emergency requiring mass evacuations, the City of Sonoma and County of Sonoma developed designated evacuation zones for the entire community. It's important to know your zone ahead of time so that you can quickly evacuate if orders for your zone were issued. The City of Sonoma is divided into four zones or “quadrants.” They are:

  • Zone SO-A01 includes all areas in Sonoma city limits that are west of First Street West and north of West Napa Street.
  • Zone SO-B01 includes all areas in Sonoma city limits that are east of First S Street West and north of East Napa Street
  • Zone SO-C01 includes all areas in Sonoma city limits that are east of Broadway and south of East Napa Street.
  • Zone SO-D01 includes all areas in Sonoma city limits that are west of Broadway and south of West Napa Street.

Depending on the emergency and the conditions, public safety officials may utilize a variety of ways to alert you that it is time to evacuate. Below is information on local alerting systems that you need to be aware of.

Reminder:  Always use your best judgment in an emergency situation. If you feel unsafe, spot fires ignite, or conditions change, don't wait for an evacuation order; leave early if unsure to avoid being trapped by severe conditions.

Help first responders evacuate neighborhoods quickly during a disaster - get your free evacuation tag!

Evacuation TagThe Sheriff’s Office is giving away evacuation tags to residents living in unincorporated Sonoma County and our contract cities, Sonoma and Windsor. Evacuation tags are a new tool to help quickly ensure that neighborhoods are evacuated during a disaster. Residents tie the tag in a location that is highly visible when they evacuate. This saves time because first responders don’t have to tie their own ribbon on the property and they can immediately check the next home. We’ve learned that seconds can count during evacuations and we are excited to bring this new time-saving tool to our residents. Tags are available at the Sonoma Police Department (175 First Street West, Sonoma) during business hours.

Learn more about evacuation tags, how and when to use them and where you pick up a tag on the Sonoma Sheriff's website.

SoCoAlert - Notification by phone call, text, email

In the event of an evacuation, local emergency officials will use SoCoAlert to reach you. You must register for emergency notifications at socoalert.com to receive evacuations notices by phone call, text, and/or email. Evacuation notices sent through SoCoAlert will use the following terminology:

EVACUATION ORDER:  You must evacuate immediately due to imminent threat to life.

EVACUATION WARNING:  There is potential threat to life and property within a given time frame. Begin preparing yourself, your animals, and your property for a potential evacuation order.

SHELTER-IN-PLACE:  Stay secure at your current location. This may be required when evacuation is impossible, too dangerous, or unnecessary.

Additional Alerting Tools

Additional alerting tools such as Nixle, WEA, EAS, and social media may also be used to notify the community in the event of a large-scale emergency evacuation. Learn more about all of these systems on the Emergency Preparedness page.

Evacuation Checklist

Click to View/Download

If you are asked to evacuate due to danger, you may have little time to grab your Go Bag and get safe. Sometimes you do have a bit more time. Here is a list to help you get started planning what you may want to take if you have an hour or more before you need to go.

This checklist should be customized to your family – be sure to have a family discussion about what would be your first priorities, if you had some extra time. Visit the Sonoma County Emergency Website for more checklists and information in English and Spanish.

Hi/Lo Sirens on Public Safety Vehicles

Hear the Hi/Lo, time to GO!  Depending on the emergency, the City’s ability to reach you traditional alert and warning tools may be limited. Sonoma Sheriff police cars and fire department vehicles are outfitted with new Hi/Lo sirens, a different sound than traditional sirens, that will only be used to alert residents to evacuate. This European-style, 2-tone siren will only be used in an emergency to alert residents within specific areas of the need to evacuate. If you hear the Hi/Lo, it’s time to go. Watch the brief video below with the sound turned "on" to hear the Hi/Lo siren.

Hi-Lo Sirens in English

Hi-Lo Sirens in Spanish

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