The Alabama River at Selma and the Cahaba River at Marion Junction have begun to drop, according to the National Weather Service in Birmingham. This comes as good news before rain returns to the region later this week.

“I have spoken to NWS this morning and, at present, both rivers are dropping,” said Rhonda Abbott, interim director for the Dallas County Emergency Management Agency. “NWS says that (Tuesday) the Alabama should have dropped enough to support any additional rainfall we may receive. The heaviest of rainfall should be to our south.”

Abbott said the weather service had spoken to Alabama Power and they do not anticipate any problems in Dallas County. Alyssa Summerville, spokeswoman for the power company said the operations center will be manned this week in the event something comes up.

Many areas of the state have received 4-to-8 inches of rainfall the last several days. The potential exists for another 2-to-4 inches of rain through Sunday, according to the weather service. A few strong thunderstorms are possible this afternoon, lasting into the nighttime. hours. The main threats are small hail and heavy rainfall.

A few severe thunderstorms are possible on Thursday afternoon, lasting into the evening.