A few more tips from the East coast
-FILL UP YOUR GAS TANK!!!!! It can be difficult to get gas after a storm because of increased demand and gas stations losing power or flooding. This can cause a spike in prices too, and I know y'all already pay too much for that...
-If you live next to the water or in a low-lying area, move your important belongings to the second floor. Consider staying in a hotel or with a friend on higher land. Take important documents with you or make sure they're protected from water damage.
-Avoid walking or swimming in flood waters. If you must, wear boots and jeans or some other durable items and wash yourself with clean water afterwards. Flood waters can contain chemicals, sharp objects, and other dangers you CAN'T SEE.
-Bottled water, bottled water, bottled water. Stock up on it.
-Break out the board games, books, magazines, etc! Even if you still have power, it's best to leave your devices to charge and occupy yourself with something else.
-CHECK YOUR FLASHLIGHTS BEFOREHAND! You don't want to reach for a flashlight and find out the batteries are dead... Nor do you want to waste your phone battery.
-If you have portable phone/device chargers, charge them.
-Surge protectors are smart, but make sure it's okay to use them with the device. Air purifiers, portable ac units, and other large devices may not be okay to use with a surge protector. If you're not a masochist, plug your computer into a surge protector.
-Stay inside. It's tempting to go out when the storm looks calmer, but conditions can change quickly!
-If you must leave your home, take important documents with you!! Make sure you know where they are beforehand so you can grab them quickly.
-If your powerlines are above ground, it's very likely you'll lose power.
-If you need something from the fridge or freezer, grab it quickly.
-If you have bags of ice and coolers, you can move refrigerated items to a cooler after a few hours (before the ice melts). It's probably best to throw out dairy and meat though.
-Report it to your power company if possible, then sit and wait. Now is a great time to read that book you've been meaning to get to.
-If you don't have experience using a generator or you aren't certain it's safe to use one with your home, just don't. And no, watching a youtube video does not count as experience. After every big storm, there's always a few idiots that get seriously injured or killed because they didn't know what they were doing. Someone usually blows up their whole damn house too. Don't be like them. Emergency services are busy enough without you blowing yourself up...
-Speaking of emergency services... don't bother them unless it's ACTUALLY AN EMERGENCY. Especially right after the storm. This is not the time to call them with noise complaints...
-Heat after hurricanes and tropical storms can be just as dangerous as the storm, especially if you don't have power. Open your windows to encourage air flow. Drink lots of water. Put a wet cloth on your head/back of your neck/back. Use a battery powered fan. Close your blinds during the day to keep the sun out. Open your windows during the cooler hours of the night and morning. Take more breaks during physical activity. Use paper fans.
-If you can't fit all of your cars in your garage, consider leaving the extras in a parking garage on the second or third floor. Small flying debris could still damage them, but they'll be safer from falling trees, flooding, flying trashcans, etc. Yes... trashcans can fly....
-If you have elderly neighbors or elderly family in the area, check on them as soon as it's safe to do so. If your elderly family member is willing (especially if lives alone, is physically impaired, has dementia), have them stay at your place during the storm.
California doesn't get many hurricanes, which means the infrastructure isn't built with them in mind and the city officials and companies aren't as equipped to deal with them. Be patient.