Residents can prepare by making an emergency plan, building a supply kit, signing up for alerts, keeping important medical and contact information available, and knowing where to find trusted information.
Personal & Family Preparedness
Personal preparedness means being ready before an emergency happens.
When you and your family are prepared, you are better able to:
- Stay safe during severe weather, power outages, and health crises.
- Follow directions from local public health officials.
- Protect vulnerable members, including children, seniors, pets, and individuals with access and functional needs.
- Maintain access to life-saving medications, medical equipment, food, and clean water.
- Reduce panic and manage stress during an emergency.
- Help neighbors when you are stable and it is safe to do so.
- Keep important health and emergency contact information easy to find, including a list of medications, allergies, doctors, and who to call in an emergency.
Being prepared helps individuals, families, and the community respond more safely and recover more quickly.
Residents can prepare by knowing where to find trusted sources of information and to sign up for alerts, making an emergency plan, building an emergency kit, and know your most likely hazards.
Trusted Sources and Alerts for Kanabec County
Do not wait for a disaster to search for information.
Stay informed immediately through local, trusted channels:
- Local Updates: Follow official notices via the Kanabec County Community Health website and Facebook page, Kanabec County Sheriff Facebook page, Kanabec County Website.
- Crisis Support: If you or a loved one experiences severe stress or a mental health crisis during an emergency, call, text or chat the free 988 Lifeline for immediate help.
Make an Emergency Plan
It is important to have an emergency plan in place before you need it because you may not be with your loved ones when a disaster strikes. By having a plan, you and your family will know where to go, who to call, and what to do during an emergency.
When making your plan you should include the following considerations:
- Ages and Needs. Specific requirements for infants, children, and older adults.
- Medical Dependencies.Accommodation plans for family members with disabilities or specialized medical devices.
- Animal Care. Safe evacuation steps and shelters for pets or service animals.
- Work and School. Understand the evacuation and communication plans used by your workplace or your children’s local school districts.
Build a 3-Day Supply Kit
Aim to gather enough supplies to keep your household running entirely on your own for at least 72 hours. Keep your kit in an accessible, travel-ready container.
Core items to include:
Water & Food: One gallon of water per person per day and non-perishable food.
Medical Needs: At least a one-week supply of prescription medications and a first-aid kit.
Light & Power: Flashlights, a battery-operated or hand-crank radio, and plenty of extra batteries.
Sanitation: Soap, wipes, and basic hygiene products.
For a complete, printable checklist of items to add to your household emergency kit, visit the official federal guide at Ready.gov/Build-A-Kit.
Know Your Local Hazards
Different emergencies require different reactions.
In Kanabec County, our most common public health and natural hazards involve severe weather:
- Flooding & Heavy Rains: Historical data shows that flooding is our most frequently declared disaster. If you rely on a private well, flooding can contaminate your drinking water. Review the MDH Well Flood Safety Guide to protect your water supply.
- Severe Winter Storms & Extreme Cold: Blizzards and ice storms can knock out power for days and freeze water pipes. Keep an emergency winter car kit in your vehicle, including blankets, a shovel, jumper cables, and sand.
- Tornadoes & High Winds: High-wind storms and tornadoes pose a moderate-to-high risk in East Central Minnesota. Identify your household “Safe Room”—ideally a basement or an interior, windowless room on the lowest floor.
- Wildfires: Up to 18% of Kanabec County has a moderate-to-high wildfire risk potential. Clear brush away from your home’s perimeter to reduce fuel for fires.