By Chelsea Vance | The Selma Times-Journal

Selma and most of the southern two-thirds of Alabama are under the threat of significant severe weather tonight into Wednesday morning.

According to the National Weather Service, strong tornadoes, winds up to 70 miles per hour and golf-ball sized hail will be possible starting as early as 4 p.m. this afternoon.

NWS Meteorologist Jason Holmes said all residents should take precautions and be sure to stay safe.

“We’ll start out with isolated showers and thunderstorm activity, some of that could be strong. We will see an increased risk of severe weather as we go on to the afternoon,” Holmes said. “In night hours, we’ll continue to see thunderstorms coming in from west to east across the area.”

He suggested that residents have a dependable way to get warnings like a weather radio or phone alert apps.

“Because this is happening in the evening and over into overnight hours, it’s very important for people to have a reliable source of weather information, obviously local media.” Holmes said. “Also they may need something that will wake them up at night if warnings come out towards midnight tomorrow night.”

Dallas County Emergency Management Director Toya Stiles said families should stay close to a safe place.

“Stay tuned to the local weather channels. Make sure you check your radios to receive any warnings that may be issued,” Stiles said. “If you are out and about be ready to take shelter.”

Being completely underground is the best place to be in a tornado. If you have an underground storm cellar, use it.

A basement is also a good shelter in most cases. If your basement is not totally underground, or has outside doors or windows, stay as far away from them as possible.

If a basement is not available, seek shelter as close to the ground and as far inside the building as possible, away from doors, windows and outside walls. Use bicycle helmets and mattresses for protection if possible.

Stiles said it is important for household communication plans and safety kits to be on hand during these times.

“In case of disaster, there should be a plan in place. Families can get together and collectively go over where they will go in the house in case of disaster,” Stiles said.

Holmes said the threat should end by 4 a.m. Wednesday morning.

For more information on severe weather, visit the National Weather Service website at www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx.