As much as five inches of rainfall through Sunday could increase the possibility of flash flooding in Central Alabama.

The National Weather Service in Birmingham issued a flash flood watch late Wednesday evening, and two to three inches of rain is expected for the area late Thursday morning.

However, the biggest concern is in West Alabama. That portion of the state has received the heaviest rainfall this year, and potential for flooding is high.

“The main river concerns are going to be across the Tombigbee and the Warrior rivers,” said NWS meteorologist Michael Garrison. “Now, we’ll definitely have to watch Alabama (River) and see what it’s doing.”

Garrison said it was unlikely rainfall through the weekend would exceed the predicted five inches, but even then experts expect only minor flooding.

Some residents in Dallas County should especially take precaution this week. The Dallas County Homeland Security & Emergency Management Agency has reported the weather siren located at the Summerfield Volunteer Fire Department is currently down.

Residents in the Summerfield area are advised the siren will not sound if a tornado warning is issued in association with severe weather.

Rhonda Abbott, interim EMA director, said the siren failure is a result of a faulty logic board. The problem became evident when the siren did not sound during the monthly test in early March. Abbott said a new logic board could possibly arrive next week.

The sirens are designed to be audible to people outdoors. A weather radio should be used inside the home to alert people of severe weather.

All residents in the Summerfield area are advised to tune into local media outlets as well as have a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio to receive warnings.