(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.
“It’s very important that everyone be prepared when extreme winter storm conditions arrive in Brown County,” says Streckenbach. “Make 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
“The 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 for #CodeRed at browncountywi.gov/code-red or text “BrownCountyWI” to 99411.
