The Vernon County Health Dept. providing free emergency preparedness kits at Coon Creek Confluence event

May 1, 2026

CHASEBURG, Wis.

The Vernon County Health Department will provide free emergency preparedness kits to community members as part of a broader initiative to improve flood resilience throughout the Driftless Area. A total of 150 kits will be distributed on a first come first served basis on Saturday May 2 at the Coon Creek Confluence.

Each kit contains more than 15 essential items that can be useful during natural disasters such as the severe flooding that frequently impacts the region. The buckets are packed with bandages, heavy duty utility gloves, garbage bags, soft sided coolers and an opportunity to win a $20 gift card. Additional items include well water test kits, matches, flashlights, rain ponchos and emergency food and water.

A group of dedicated volunteers gathered at the Vernon County Health Department recently to assemble the buckets. Women from the Vernon Women’s Alliance provided a major volunteer assist to pack the supplies.

The health department partnered with several local businesses and items in the bucket were contributed by Vernon County Health Department, WI, Vernon County Emergency Management, Kwik Trip, Edward Jones, GoMacro, Westby Area School District, Emplify Health by Gundersen, The Great American Pancake Company, American Red Cross of Wisconsin, Xcel Energy, and Green for Life.

Organizers emphasize that helping the community weather natural disasters is a core part of their collaborative work.

“Fostering community resilience to flooding is central to the mission of our Watershed Council and the Public Health Department,” said the Coon Creek Community Watershed Council in a statement. “Whether that is through promoting land use practices that reduce flooding in the first place or by connecting residents with the resources they need to safely recover when floods happen.”

The annual watershed celebration takes place at the Chaseburg Ball Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and brings the community together to celebrate the historic legacy of conservation in the region.

The distribution of the preparedness kits fits perfectly into the broader goals of the Confluence event which seeks to build watershed literacy. While the event focuses heavily on upland conservation practices that keep water on the land organizers also recognize the need to prepare residents for when those waters inevitably rise.

Beyond the emergency preparedness giveaway the Confluence offers a full day of family fun and conservation education. Attendees can get their hands wet at a stream table that demonstrates hydrology basics or watch a rainwater infiltration demonstration to see how soil structure improves flood resilience. Woodworker Lauren Newby will even lead a session where guests can learn about beaver coexistence by weaving a dam out of willow branches.

The festival also features a makers market with 50 local artisans and booths from more than 30 watershed partners. Youth attendees can visit the Coulee Region Trout Unlimited table for a free fishing pole giveaway and fly tying workshop before practicing their casting in nearby Coon Creek.

The event provides a space to enjoy local food and entertainment while supporting a good cause. Guests can enjoy a donation based cookout featuring pulled pork sandwiches from Chaseburg based Simply Smoked and fresh buns from Grandma’s Bakery in Cashton. The menu also includes sweet corn and baked potatoes topped with Westby Creamery Cooperative butter and cheese alongside seasonal ferments from Fizzeology Foods.

Live music will play throughout the afternoon with performances by Tapestry, The Creeky Trio and The Ryan Howe Trio. For early risers the village of Chaseburg is also hosting a community wide rummage sale and a pancake breakfast to benefit the Chaseburg Area Cancer Walk before the Confluence begins.

Would you like to explore any of the upland conservation practices that are being highlighted at the Confluence?