National Weather Service works with state Emergency Managers to prepare Minnesotans for winter

This week is Winter Hazard Awareness Week in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The educational effort is a partnership between the National Weather Service, the Minnesota Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and Wisconsin Emergency Management.

Cook County Emergency Manager Mike Keyport told WTIP that it is important for people in Northern Minnesota to be prepared for winter weather and the risks that come with it. Winter Hazard Awareness Week is a time for residents to get ready for winter before the season begins in earnest.

Keyport offered a list of things that people can do to be better prepared for a winter emergency. He suggested creating a “go bag,” pre-packing supplies that could be helpful if an evacuation is necessary. He said that while winter doesn’t include threats like wildfires, if residents are aware of incoming severe weather, they might chose to leave their homes to wait out the storm with neighbors, or at one of the warming houses that the county runs during prolonged power outages.

Preparedness is not limited to being ready to leave home. Keyport suggested keeping supplies like extra winter clothing in vehicles in the event that a driver is stranded. Additionally, he said that having backup power sources, like battery packs, is an easy way to keep select electrical items functioning.  He directed listeners to the National Weather Service website for lists of what to consider when building a go bag or emergency kit.

Beyond material preparedness, Keyport said that it is important for people to understand what different designations from the National Weather Service mean. He said that knowing what the distinctions are between designations like watch, warning, outlook, and advisory are can help in coming up with a plan of action.

While there is a lot that individuals can do to prepare for a winter emergency, Keyport said that the county has also worked on its own emergency preparedness. He said that after the “Christmas Blizzard” of 2022, several departments, including the Highway Department and his own department, worked with Arrowhead Cooperative and other stakeholders to identify what areas could be improved upon in the event of other major weather events.

WTIP’s Kirsten Wisniewski spoke with Emergency Manager Mike Keyport about Winter Hazard Awareness Week, and how people can begin to approach their own winter preparedness. Audio of that interview is below.

Kirsten Wisniewski November 19, 2024