Ashland County is committed to the welfare of our citizens and visitors. Our Emergency Management program is designed to respect this commitment; to maximize human safety and survival; to minimize danger; to preserve County property; to restore normal working conditions; and to assure responsive communications within the entire county and to surrounding counties, and media outlets.
The County's emergency operations plan is enacted whenever a natural disaster or other emergency affects the County. This plan is a tool for the County to accomplish its stated purposes efficiently and effectively, with a minimum of confusion, and with the best interests and safety of our community members in mind.
During an emergency or other large scale event, the Emergency Management Director may open the Emergency Operations Center. The Emergency Management Center is a collection of people that coordinate the response to the event.
Email the Emergency Management Director - Christina.Dzwonkowski@ashlandcountywi.gov
Ashland County uses the Genasys ALERT system to notify you about issues that may affect your safety, such as tornados, flooding, gas leaks, or other emergencies.
To ensure you receive this information, keep your contact information up to date!
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Mitigation plans form the foundation for a community’s long-term strategy to reduce disaster losses and break the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction and repeated damage.
State, tribal and local governments are required to develop a hazard mitigation plan as a condition for receiving certain types of non-emergency disaster assistance. The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Public Law 93-288), as amended by the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, provides the legal basis for state, local and tribal governments to undertake a risk-based approach to reducing risks from natural hazards through mitigation planning.
Local units of government participating in a multi-jurisdictional planning process like that which Ashland County endorsed must adopt the final plan for the municipality to be eligible for future mitigation funds including grants available through FEMA. Local units (i.e. towns, villages, cities) of government that do not participate would be ineligible to receive such funds until such time that they meet these requirements and adopt a plan.
Winter officially begins with the “Winter Solstice”, or December Solstice, on Wednesday, December 21, 2021. This is when the earth’s axis tilts away from the sun, making it the shortest day and longest night of the year for those living in the northern hemisphere.
Meteorologically speaking, winter is often defined by the three calendar months with the lowest average temperature. These are usually the months of December, January and February. Emergency Management recommends that one is always prepared. The winter months present challenges in staying safe when at home and when traveling. No matter the season, individuals and families should plan to be self-sufficient for at least 3 days but could be much longer. Several resources are available below to assist in your winter preparedness plans. Please click the links below.
Winter Weather Terminology - Common terminology associated with Winter Weather
Navigating Winter Roads - Tips and information for navigating Winter Roads
Emergency Kit for Your Vehicle - Survival tips and items to keep in your car during the Winter Months
511 Road Conditions and Tips - Information on the 511 Wisconsin Traveller Information System
Check Carbon Monoxide Detector - Information and tips on checking Carbon Monoxide Detectors
NOAA Weather Radio Transmitter Locations - Frequency and location of all NOAA Weather Radio Transmitters in Wisconsin
Winter Storm Severity Index - An example of Winter Storm Severity from the Thanksgiving storm of 2019.
