The Sault Tribe Health Division Public Health Preparedness goal is to collaborate with federal, state, and local resources to prepare for all types of disasters and emergencies. Developing partnerships and collaborations are crucial to our success in organizing people and resources to be used before, during, or after any type of an emergency with a focus on public health emergencies. Sault Tribe routinely coordinates with local resources (regional, county, tribal, and state) to determine most likely scenarios, and how to effectively respond to them.

Winter Weather Safety

Winter storms can bring extreme cold, freezing rain, ice, snow, high winds, or a combination of all of these conditions. Planning and preparing can make a big difference in safety and resiliency in the wake of a winter storm.

Prepare for a Winter Storm

Winter storms can cause power outages that last for days. They can make roads and walkways extremely dangerous and also negatively affect critical community services including public transportation, childcare, and health programs.

Watches and Warnings

Learn the differences between Advisories, Watches, and Warnings, which describe changing winter weather conditions. Learning what these terms mean can help you understand how an approaching storm may impact you and what actions to take to stay safe. Winter Weather related Advisories, Watches, and Warnings are issued by your local National Weather Service office and are based upon local criteria.

Winter Weather Advisories are issued when snow, blowing snow, ice, sleet, or a combination of these wintry elements is expected but conditions should not be hazardous enough to meet Warning criteria. Be prepared for winter driving conditions and possible travel difficulties. Use caution when driving.

Winter Storm Watches are issued when conditions are favorable for a significant winter storm event. Heavy sleet, heavy snow, ice storms, blowing snow, or a combination of these events are possible.

Winter Storm Warnings are issued for a significant winter weather event including snow, ice, sleet, blowing snow, or a combination of these hazards. Travel will become difficult or impossible in some situations. Delay your travel plans until conditions improve

Emergency Supplies

You may not be at home when the storm starts, so it is important to have basic supplies of food and water as well as a way to stay warm without power in several locations such as your workplace, vehicle, and/or school.

Stay off the Road

Driving is very dangerous during and immediately after a winter storm. Plan to stay off the road when authorities issue Advisories, Watches, and Warnings.

Federal Highway Administration reports indicate that the risk of vehicular accidents rises sharply in winter weather conditions. In an average year, there are more than half a million vehicle crashes when the roads are snowy, slushy, or icy, resulting in nearly 2,000 fatalities and 140,000 injuries

For more information visit: https://community.fema.gov/hazard/winter-storm-en_us/be-smart?lang=en_US, or https://www.ready.gov

If you're interested on how you can become more personally prepared in disasters, please contact Emergency Preparedness Coordinator: Jami Traver at (906) 632-5200 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..