In cooperation with Local Emergency Management, The Texas Division of Emergency Management, The Texas Department of Public Safety, and The Texas Department of Transportation, Tuesday November 10, 2009, is designated as Winter Weather Awareness Day in the Lone Star State.

Every Texan should take this opportunity to prepare for adverse winter weather.

A press conference was held this monring to discuss winter weather safety and the role of El Nino and its potential impacts on San Angelo and all of West Central Texas for the upcoming winter season.

Buddy McIntyre, Meteorologist in charge, National Weather Service, Ron Perry, Emergency Manager, San Angelo and Tom Green County Emergency Management, Jerry Huffman, Regional Liaison Officer, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Shawn Baxter, Texas Department of Public Safety, Karen Threlkeld, Public Information Officer, Texas Department of Transportation, and Hector DeHoyos, Maintenance Supervisor, Texas Department of Transportation were on hand to discuss safety on the roads and safety in the home when the weather turns cold and icy.

They spoke about having a good plan of action when it comes to winter weather: 1) Prepare before a winter storm, 2) check the weather forecast before you travel, 3) monitor temperatures, 4) drive according to the conditions of the highway, and 5) heed warnings.

Each year Texans die from accidents caused by ice, snow, or fog. The Texas Department of Public Safety urges motorists to slow down to the conditions of the roadway. Motorists should not assume the speed limit is the safe speed.

Information on winter weather safety can be also be found at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/winter , www.fema.gov and www.redcross.org.