Winter Hazard Awareness Week begins Monday.

Bob Nelson, emergency management director for Austin/Mower County, wants everyone to know "weather happens."

The former long-time Austin police chief will turn over his emergency management director duties next year to Terese Amazi, Mower County Sheriff's Department chief deputy.

Nelson is training Amazi in all facets of the job and none is more important than advising Mower County residents what lies ahead this winter.

"Winter storms can be accompanied by strong winds creating blizzard conditions with blinding, wind-driven snow, severe drifting and wind chill. These strong winds can knock down trees, utility poles and power lines," Nelson said.

The threat of winter weather is the reason Nelson encourages everyone to "be prepared."

That includes being able to differentiate between a winter storm watch and a winter storm warning.

The best weather information comes from the National Weather Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The La Crosse, Wis., NWS/NOAA station is responsible for advising Mower County and six other counties in the far southeastern corner of the state about winter weather emergencies.

There is a host of information about the advent of weather and how to prepare to survive it, Nelson said.

Outdoor safety tips for children, the "scoop" about snow shoveling, snowmobiling and insurance, winter and holiday fire safety, the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning and radon, asbestos exposure in the home and winter travel hints are among the categories of "everyone needs to know" safety tips from the emergency management director.

For more information about Winter Hazard Awareness Week tips, contact the Austin-Mower County Law Enforcement Center (437-9400) or Nelson at 437-9533.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at :mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com