(Brown County, Wis.) – Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach is encouraging everyone to be prepared this winter season for extreme storm events as Wisconsin highlights Winter Weather Awareness Week.

β€œIt’s very important that everyone be prepared when extreme winter storm conditions arrive in Brown County,” says Streckenbach. β€œMake sure you have emergency kits for both your home and your vehicle in case you lose power, become stranded or unable to get back home during a winter storm.”

According to Wisconsin Emergency Management, here are several common items that should be included in emergency vehicle kits:

  • Cell phone car charger
  • Drinking water
  • Duct tape
  • First aid kit with pocketknife
  • Shovel & Windshield Scraper
  • Matches
  • Blankets, extra hats, socks, and mittens
  • Booster cables & tow chain or rope
  • Sand or Cat Litter
  • Emergency flares
  • Fluorescent distress flag

β€œThe biggest problems come in with widespread and long-duration power outages caused by ice/snow or other technical issues,” says Sam Martin, Brown County Emergency Management Coordinator.

People need to prepare to be resilient during these long-duration power outages by ensuring they have:

  • Bottled water and non-perishable food that requires no cooking
  • Flashlights and extra batteries
  • Battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio and a commercial radio
  • First-aid supplies
  • Extra medications and baby items
  • Pet food/shelter
  • Blankets and sleeping bags
  • Power banks for cell phone charging
  • If you have an emergency heating source such as a fireplace or space heater, make sure you have proper ventilation

Also, make sure to sign up forΒ #CodeRedΒ atΒ browncountywi.gov/code-redΒ or text “BrownCountyWI” to 99411.