An overview of the emergency procedures and response plans put in place by Santa Cruz County emergency services professionals after the storms of 82' and 83' that were tested in recent storms. Key insights include: sharing information and reacting in coordinated fashion, bringing experts together, being proactive, and drafting, and updating emergency operating procedures. For example on Soquel Creek, a tiered flood action level response was put in place. Other preparations in the Santa Cruz area included: a policy change to mandatory evacuations, pre-placement of shelter staff and medical professionals, a FEMA-funded neighborhood survival network, to help educate neighbors about emergency preparedness and to check on their wellbeing, and Amateur Radio Emergency services, communicating between volunteer radio groups and official emergency management. Overall, emergency preparedness of agencies and citizens has increased over the past years, and there is a greater awareness of the challenges faced during storms. President Ronald Reagan declared Santa Cruz and eight other counties a disaster area for the fourth time since 1982.