Many regions in California were hit hard by the 2022-23 winter storms. In Sacramento, the losses came in the form of a thinning of the urban forest.
In the modern world of niche media and streaming entertainment, it’s not often that the citizens of the United States of America share a simultaneous experience. One such occurrence will take place this week, when the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, conducts a test of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System.
This is the seventh time that this system will be used. An updated version of the Emergency Broadcast System—which delivered those familiar bursts of electronic noise followed by “This is a test…”—the Wireless Emergency Alert will simultaneously send a message to all of the nation’s cell phones. This will happen on Oct. 4 at around 5:20 p.m. Pacific Time.
This imminent event got us thinking. No, we weren’t thinking about ridiculous conspiracy theories, though predictably some folks are. Instead we thought it was an opportune time to contemplate the value of a smartphone in an emergency situation.
Making Radio Waves
This week we’re posting checklists for each of the counties we cover, offering information on resources that can help you stay safe during a local emergency. Each checklist is topped with a link to the county’s office of emergency services and specifics on how to sign up for local alerts. Counties may use different tech platforms to get the word out, but the end result is the same: real-time information dispensed simultaneously to your family, friends and neighbors. These are messages that could literally be lifesavers.
Many communities in California are lucky enough to have groups of local citizens who prepare not only to take care of themselves during a disaster but also to protect others. They form Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) to assist first responders, train to do search and rescue, or form ham radio groups. California Local reporter Kimberly Hickok shares the story of how one such group of radio enthusiasts in the disaster-prone Santa Cruz Mountains works to keep the lines of communication open.
Listening Skills
How local amateur radio operators can help in the next big emergency.
Where to Find Emergency Information in Santa Cruz County
California Local first posted this listicle back in January, as the floodwaters were rising on the Pajaro and San Lorenzo rivers. We’ve since updated it to reflect Santa Cruz County’s switch to Cruz Aware, a new emergency notification system.
• Capitola Council Selects Name for New Playground
The Capitola City Council unanimously landed on “Treasure Cove at Jade Street Park” as the name for the new universally accessible playground.
(10/02/2023) → Santa Cruz Sentinel
• Pure Water Soquel Celebrates $30 Million in Federal Funding
Bolstered by $8.3 billion over five years for water infrastructure projects, federal officials have begun investing in climate resiliency projects on the local level and the Soquel Creek Water District’s Pure Water Soquel Project is the latest to benefit.
(09/30/2023) → Santa Cruz Sentinel
• Watsonville Community Hospital CEO Optimistic About New Role
The last four years have been a turbulent period for Watsonville Community Hospital.
(09/29/2023) → Santa Cruz Sentinel
• Sourcing Support: An Introduction to UCSC’s Resource Centers
UC Santa Cruz’s Resource Centers create spaces attuned to students’ needs, often providing cross-cultural spaces and events to foster solidarity between communities.
(09/28/2023) → City on a Hill
• New ‘Ten’ Show Opens ‘Art Season’ in Santa Cruz
Aiming to showcase the “endless” pool of Santa Cruz County arts talent, the group show “Ten” opens Saturday at the Radius Gallery at the Tannery and M.K. Contemporary Art, formerly Curated By the Sea.
(09/28/2023) → Read the full Lookout Local report
• Hollister Icon DeRose Debuts in San Martin
DeRose Vineyards in Hollister is well known to wine lovers for its casual atmosphere that somehow accentuates the serious intent of winegrowers Pat and Alphonse DeRose.
(09/27/2023) → Edible Monterey Bay
• Pretty Good Advice Adds Second Spot in Downtown Santa Cruz
This qualifies as more than pretty good news. Pretty Good Advice in Soquel is welcoming a sister into the world.
(09/26/2023) → Edible Monterey Bay
• PVUSD Trustee Making a Run for Board of Supes
Kim De Serpa brings a background in social services and years of experience as a public official to the much-anticipated race. She is currently the social services manager at the Salinas Valley Health Center.
(09/26/2023) → Santa Cruz Sentinel
Many regions in California were hit hard by the 2022-23 winter storms. In Sacramento, the losses came in the form of a thinning of the urban forest.
