By Blake Deshazo

The Selma Times-Journal

The potential for severe weather is expected to move into Dallas County on Tuesday into early Wednesday.

The system is predicted to bring severe thunderstorms and the small possibility of tornados, but the main concerns are large hail, damaging winds and heavy rain.

“The rainfall is going to be the biggest threat, but there is still a chance of thunderstorms,” said Dallas County EMA Director Rhonda Abbott. “They are also not ruling out the possibility of a tornado as well.”

According to the National Weather Service in Birmingham, Selma is expected to receive close to two inches of rainfall. That could pose a threat to travelers on the road for the holidays.

“Everyone should be aware of the weather, especially people that are traveling,” said meteorologist Jason Davis with the NWS. “They should keep an eye out on what the weather is going to be like where they are going.”

While the system has the possibility to produce tornados, Dallas will not be the area of concern.

“The biggest tornado threat will be more east of Selma,” Davis said, “but it is a pretty low threat for a tornado.”

If the weather does get bad, Abbott said storm shelters will be open.

“If we go under a tornado watch, the storm shelters will open,” Abbott said.

There are six storm shelters available for the public in Dallas County.

They can be found in Plantersville, Burnsville, Orrville, Southside High School, Valley Grande and Selmont.

The National Weather Service urges people to stay updated on the weather and have a plan of action in case of emergency.

“Have a way of getting warnings, whether that is a weather radio or paying attention to the local television stations,” Davis said. “Just have a plan of where to go if there are any warnings issued.”

The main threat for Dallas County will be between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday.