Emergencies can strike at any time. Everyone has a role in emergency preparedness. People must be ready to act on their own in response to an emergency event. Start today to prepare for an emergency.
The most common weather-related disasters are thunderstorms, floods, tornadoes and blizzards. Other possible emergencies include widespread power outages, contagious disease, chemical spills and terrorism. Most of these emergencies are best handled by planning ahead. The county assists with handling emergencies by:
One of the most important steps you can take in preparing for emergencies is to develop a family emergency plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important for all family members to understand the plan.
Visit the Ready.gov website for checklists and considerations when creating a plan for your family.
More steps you can take
- Sign up for Code RED Community Notification Enrollment (coderedweb.com) which alerts you in the event of an emergency.
A surge in demand for emergency services during a disaster or disease outbreaks may require you
to survive on your own for several days. Having an emergency supply kit that includes water, food
and other emergency supplies can help keep your family comfortable or save your life.
Visit the Ready.gov website for a detailed list of items to include in your emergency kit. The site also
includes a printable list you can bring to the store, and items specific to pets, seniors, and other
unique groups.
Storage: Store the emergency supply kit in a convenient location so that is can be brought with you
in the event of an evacuation or into your shelter location. Be sure family members know the shelter
location and where the kit is kept in the shelter.
Check and refresh the kit: You should check and refresh your emergency supply kit twice a year.
When you change your clocks at the beginning and end of Daylights Savings Time is a good time to
check your supplies.
Dakota County, in cooperation with Goodhue County and City of Cannon Falls, finalized an emergency evacuation plan for the City of Cannon Falls.
Dakota County has owned the dam since 1969, and it has been safely operated for more than a century. Responsible ownership means Dakota County, Goodhue County, Cannon Falls Police and other partners maintain a well-rehearsed emergency plan in the unlikely event of a structural failure that could cause rapid flooding downstream.
That plan includes the following direction for people in the Cannon Falls area during a failure of the dam:
- Listen: Listen for the special siren indicating a failure at the dam
- Get out: Leave your home immediately with only people and pets
- Gather: Meet at your designated assembly location
There are just minutes to evacuate, so only take people and pets with you. Once at the collection point, move to allow others to safely arrive. Law enforcement and first responders will collect your information and provide instructions. See interactive map.
Evacuation Plan - Zones A & B
Evacuation Plan - Zones C, D
Evacuation Plan - Zone E
Evacuation Plan - Zone F, G, H & J
Evacuation Plan - Zone K
Evacuation Plan - Zone L
Evacuation Plan - Zone M, N, P, Q & R
Dakota and Goodhue counties and the City of Cannon Falls improved the siren warning system within the Cannon Falls. The sirens will warn residents within the city limits of a possible high water event, as required by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Four sirens are strategically located downstream of the dam in Cannon Falls.
Listen to the siren. Listen to the emergency message.
