Do you know what to do in case of a drone strike or other aerial attack? It may not be something you ever have to deal with, but recent warnings have boosted concern in California.
The FBI has warned law enforcement agencies that Iran could target the West Coast, including California, with drone attacks, according to ABC News and the Sacramento County sheriff.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state is working to funnel information to local law enforcement, The Sacramento Bee reported.
“It’s all-around intelligence collecting, and it’s all about a posture of preparedness for the worst-case scenario,” Newsom said. “We have been gaming those out for some time as it relates to, again, what the FBI has been warning of. Again, it’s not a surprise, and it’s sort of a large part of the larger spectrum of considerations that we have as it relates to doing what we can to support our federal partners and local partners at the state level, in terms of what could happen next.”
Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper said despite the FBI’s notice, there “wasn’t a credible threat.”
“The more possible threat is of some lone wolf doing some action versus sending a ship with drones on it,” he said. “It’s one of those things— take it with a grain of salt.”
I am in constant coordination with security and intelligence officials, including at @Cal_OES, to monitor potential threats to California — including those tied to the conflict in the Middle East.
While we are not aware of any imminent threats at this time, we remain prepared…
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) March 11, 2026
The possibility of Iranian drone attacks on California may be remote, but others warned precautions may be necessary.
“Living in such, odd and stressful times, you have to take all of this seriously, but you also have to take it with a grain of salt,” U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord, told KGO. “Should we be concerned? Absolutely. But we’ve got to go about our business and our day, take care of our families and our jobs and our communities, while we’re concerned about the international situation.”
Surviving a drone strike or other aerial attack probably isn’t something most people in the United States have had to think much about. But if the prospect has you worried, some safety tips may help you feel more prepared.
Here’s what to know:
What to do in an aerial attack
A World Health Organization flyer lists suggestions for defending yourself from aerial attacks, including drone strikes.
Go underground: Find an underground shelter, such as a basement or subway tunnel, if possible. Stay near walls with no windows or glass, but don’t lean against walls, which could expose you to injury from the blast shockwave.
Get inside: If you are outside, get inside the nearest building. If you can’t get underground, take shelter on the lowest floor of the building. Stay away from windows.
If you are caught in the open: If you can’t get inside, find a ditch or other hiding spot below ground level and take cover. Lie flat on your face and put your head on your arms.
Cover up: Cover your skin with inflammable materials or, if you can’t, at least wear a coat, jacket or even a newspaper to try to protect against burns.
Close your eyes: Keep flying debris from hitting your eyes.
Keep your mouth slightly open: This will protect your lungs against injury from a blast.
Plan ahead: Identify the safest room in your house — normally bathrooms are the most solid and have the fewest windows. Have plastic sheeting and adhesive tape ready to cover your windows. Build an ad-hoc shelter using a table, mattresses and books. Fill your bathtub to ensure a safe supply of drinking water.
Don’t watch the air raid: Don’t go out and take photos of it, either, WHO advised. And don’t congregate in large groups, particularly in the open. Stay away from windows.
How can you stay safe in the event of a military drone attack? Here’s what to know. Omar Havana Getty Images What to do if you see a military drone
The Insecurity Insight website has some specific tips in case of a drone attack.
Put at least two walls between you and the drone: This will provide some extra protection.
If you’re hiding, stay still: Don’t attract the attention of the drone’s visual sensors or operators by moving around.
Run in a zig-zag pattern: If there’s no cover and the drone is close, run in a zig-zag pattern to the nearest cover to make it harder for the drone to track you. But don’t try to outrun the drone. Drones are faster than you and running attracts attention.
Disperse in different directions: If you’re in a group, don’t flee together in the same direction.
Get off your motorcycle or out of your vehicle: And seek shelter. Don’t try to outdrive the drone — you can’t.
Don’t attract attention: Once you’re away from the drone, move slowly and deliberately. Stay under trees if possible. Avoid jerky or panicky movements, and don’t wave for help — movement may attract the drone.
Hide from view: If you have to hide in the open, try to get under something that will conceal you from the drone’s camera. Some drones also are equipped with infrared systems.
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Don Sweeney has been a newspaper reporter and editor in California for more than 35 years. He is a service reporter based at The Sacramento Bee.