What is Alpena.help?
Northeast Michigan experienced a “once-in-a-generation” ice storm in March 2025 that caused widespread power outages, property losses, and tree damage. In many areas, it took 1-2 weeks for power to be restored. We were told that government agencies and utility companies would make improvements to their emergency response protocols so that, if an event like this ever happened again, we would be better prepared.
In March 2026—almost a year later—we suffered another catastrophic ice storm.
Just like last time, the response was characterized by inconsistent communication. Official messaging went out through a patchwork of channels. Radio and TV stations provided limited news coverage. Facebook became unusable for many people as cell towers were overwhelmed by high data use.
We need better. So we’re doing it ourselves.
Alpena.help is a website and an unofficial community that provides critical information in case of a regional emergency, including:
- Official government and utility company notifications (aggregated and republished from websites and Facebook pages)
- Warming shelters
- Weather notifications
- Open gas stations, stores, hotels, and restaurants
Our site is deliberately simple so that it can be easily loaded under low-bandwidth conditions.
In addition to our website, you can get our information through the following channels:
- Phone: Call (989) 340-8686 for the latest information, updated hourly
- Facebook: @AlpenaHelp
How to Prepare
Northeast Michigan is one of the best regions in the country in terms of disasters. Recently, we've mostly been affected by problems related to ice and wind.
You don't have to be a "prepper" to be prepared. A few simple purchases can help you stay safe (and fairly comfortable) until things return to normal.
Everyone in the area should have the bare minimum kit, which is adapted from FEMA's recommendations. If you have the budget, consider also getting our recommended add-ons.
Bare Minimum
- Drinking water (7 gallons per person)
- Non-perishable food for 7 days
- USB-rechargeable flashlights
- First aid kit
- Spare blankets
- Extra prescriptions, pet food, infant formula, and diapers (as needed)
Recommended Add-Ons
- Generator: Calculate your needs using a generator wattage chart. Buy a generator that is slightly bigger than your estimated usage. Portable generators are more than sufficient for most people, but a standby generator can be convenient if you have the budget.
- Portable radio: In severe emergencies, cell towers can become overloaded. Having a set of portable GMRS radios allows you and your family to communicate with each other even without cell service, plus it lets you receive regular FM radio and NOAA weather radio. We recommend TIDRADIO or Baofeng products for most people. (GMRS requires a $35 10-year license that covers your household).