Dallas County has opened its storm shelters ahead of Hurricane Nate, which will bring high winds, rain and the threat of tornadoes to the area Sunday.

There are seven storm shelters across the county that will be open until the severe weather threat passes.

The Dallas County EMA has plans to open Selma High School’s gymnasium after midnight for people who may not have any other place to go or live in mobile homes.

“That’s just for people to come in that live in mobile homes or somewhere that they feel like they are not safe. They can come to get in,” said Dallas County EMA director Toya Stiles.

The county operates one storm shelter in the city limits and six out in the county. Those shelters are located at:

*On J.L. Chestnut Boulevard in Selma near Randall Miller Funeral Service, Inc. and the railroad tracks

*Burnsville at the Burnsville Volunteer Fire Department station on Alabama 14

*Orrville at Keith High School

*Plantersville near the old Noody’s Barbecue on Pecan Road

*Selmont near Tipton Middle School and Jim Minor Garden Homes

*Southside High School

*Valley Grande near the Dallas County Horse Arena on Dallas County 65

Dallas County is under a tropical storm warning, which means winds of 40 to 75 miles per hour are expected within 36 hours.

Hurricane Nate is expected to make landfall near the mouth of the Mississippi River on Saturday night as a Category 2 storm.

The storm will quickly move northeast across Alabama and is expected to bring winds of up to 60 miles per hour, 4-6 inches of rain and an isolated threat of tornadoes to Dallas County.

The worst of the weather is expected Sunday morning around 7 a.m. until lunchtime. Conditions will improve into the evening hours. Scattered power outages are possible and numerous trees will be likely downed, according to the weather service.

Stiles wants everyone to take the storm seriously and be prepared for severe weather Sunday.

“I would advise everyone to take this storm seriously. Stayed tuned to the local news and weather radio,” Stiles said.