Winter in Cook County often reminds us how quickly things can change. A sunny morning might become a snowy afternoon. A short drive can end up taking much longer. Even a brief power flicker can lead to hours without electricity.

That’s why Cook County Public Health has partnered with local organizations, including Emergency Management in Cook County and Grand Portage, the Grand Marais Library, senior centers, Care Partners, and local retailers, to share a simple message: winter preparedness matters, it can be easy, and you can start anytime.

Getting prepared often starts with small, practical steps. For example, you might put a winter car kit in your trunk and leave it there for the season. Or you could gather supplies for a power outage, like flashlights and batteries, and keep them in a spot that’s easy to find if the power goes out.

It’s also important to know where to get reliable information when the weather changes quickly. Signing up for local alerts and following trusted sources can help you make good decisions. Resources like WTIP radio station weather forecasts, National Weather Service alerts, and notifications from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office keep residents informed during storms, outages, and tough travel conditions.

As part of this winter preparedness initiative, many conversations took place at senior lunches throughout the county. While sharing meals like lasagna or fresh walleye, residents talked about how they handled past storms, dealt with emergencies, and helped each other. Ann Sullivan and Julie Wilson from Care Partners led some of these talks, giving older adults a chance to discuss what preparedness means for them- especially if they don’t drive or have trouble getting around in bad weather.

People often shared similar practical advice: check on your neighbors, let family or friends know you’re safe, keep water and non-perishable food ready, keep at least half a tank of gas, stock up on firewood early, clean your gutters before winter, use winter tires, and keep a car emergency kit with things like hand warmers, emergency blankets, water, and a tow strap.

The Grand Marais Library played a key role in this effort. It was the main spot to pick up winter preparedness checklists and encouraged community involvement by holding a raffle connected to the checklist. For many, grabbing a checklist during a regular library visit made getting prepared feel easy instead of overwhelming.

Local retailers also supported this initiative by offering the checklists and supplies where people already shop. Stores like Clearview in Lutsen, Joynes in Grand Marais, and the Trading Post in Grand Portage helped spread the word. Joynes even made a short video about the initiative, sharing the message with the whole community.

To encourage more people to get involved, Emergency Management donated an emergency preparedness kit called the Blue Bucket from Paramount Planning. A participant from a senior lunch at the HUB won the kit, showing how community engagement brings the effort full circle.

Winter is always part of life here, and it’s never too late to get ready. The next storm could be close, or road conditions could change quickly. By building simple habits, sharing knowledge, checking on neighbors, and working together, we can feel more prepared and less weather vulnerable this season.

You can find the winter preparedness checklist at cookcountymn.gov/winterpreparedness. If you are 60 or older, Care Partners can help you review the checklist and prepare at your own pace. For more information about getting yourself, your home, or your community ready, contact Public Health Educator Andrea Tofte at [email protected] or 218-264-9465.

Cook County Public Health Supervisor Grace Grinager and Commissioner Ann Sullivan show their support for the Winter Preparedness initiative, holding emergency preparedness kits in late September 2025. Their endorsement highlights the county’s commitment to community safety, strong partnerships, and age-friendly preparedness.