California has evacuation plans for earthquakes, floods, mudslides and, of course, wildfires, but what if one of those disasters occurs as the state is dealing with the coronavirus outbreak when everyone is being urged to stay home?
State and local officials are trying to figure that out.
“That’s something that is being looked at, but it’s challenging," said California Office of Emergency Services’ spokesman Brian Ferguson.
Kim Zagaris, longtime fire and rescue chief for the emergency services agency, came out of retirement to help with planning during the virus crisis.
“One of the basic premises is to plan and be prepared for all types and kind of emergencies,” he said. “We’re disaster-prone, so you have to be prepared for multiple things at multiple times.”
But as officials scramble to catch up, there is a disconnect between local and state authorities on who should be developing the guidelines.