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Residents in Selma will need to be prepared for multiple waves of severe weather beginning Thursday and continuing through Saturday night.

The Storm Prediction Center has placed all of Dallas County in a Level 4 moderate risk of severe weather for Saturday. There is a Level 1 marginal risk on Thursday and a Level 2 slight risk for storms that would occur between midnight and 7 a.m. on Saturday morning.

However, the main round of storms is expected to be around 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday.

NWS meteorologist Daniel Martin said all modes of severe weather are possible on Saturday. However, he said residents need to take take the overnight round of severe weather seriously.

“You need to make sure you have a good way to get the warnings even during the overnight hours,” Martin said. “We cannot rule out the possibility of a tornado overnight.”

Martin said there will be a break in the storms between the morning and afternoon rounds, but residents should not let their guard down.

“If the sun breaks out on Saturday after the morning round of storms, that will just help to destabilize the environment for the afternoon round of storms,” Martin said.

Toya Stiles, director of the Dallas County Emergency Management Agency, said residents need to make preparations now for when and where they will be once a watch or warning is issued.

“All storm shelters are now open,” Stiles said Thursday. “Residents need to ensure that they have multiple ways to receive weather alerts, know where their safe place is when a tornado warning is issued, have an emergency disaster supply kit nearby, stay tuned to the local news and take this storm seriously.”

For those who do not have adequate shelter or are living in a mobile home, Stiles is encouraging those residents to enact their plan once a watch is issued.

“I strongly advise residents to seek shelter at one of the nearby shelters,” Stiles said. “Do not wait until a tornado warning is issued.”

Dallas County storm shelters and locations:

• Burnsville (behind VFD): 8609 Alabama Highway 14E.
• Orrville (behind Keith High school):1274 Co Rd 115.
• Tipton: 2534 Brown Street.
• Valley Grande (Horse Arena): 3271 Co Rd 65.
• Southside (behind Field house): 7975 U S Hwy 80E.
• Plantersville: 530 Pecan Road.
• Selma city shelter: 1609 J L Chestnut Ave.