BROOKHAVEN — NWS Jackson is forecasting marginal risk of severe storms for the northern portion of Lincoln County Friday evening. The most severe threats will be north of the I-20 corridor but residents of Lincoln County and the surrounding areas should stay weather aware tonight.

Severe storms are expected to roll through southwest and central Mississippi Friday producing strong damaging wind gusts, hail and possibly tornadoes. Lincoln County and counties nearby are expected to get quarter size hail and wind gusts up to 60 mph.

Tornadoes can not be ruled out. Lincoln County had one tornado touch down this year in February when an EF1 hit the community of Little Bahalia.

Southwest Mississippi should expect this storm to hit between 10 p.m. Friday to 3 a.m. Saturday. Rain is forecast for Friday evening while most of the day Friday will be mostly cloudy with a high of 81 and a low of 66. It will be a very windy day with south wind blowing steady at 15 mph to 20 mph. Gusts could reach 30 mph. The chance of rain Friday night is 60 percent.

Make sure you have multiple ways to receive notifications or weather updates and stay weather aware. NWS Jackson recommends people to know their weather safety plan and know where to go in case of a tornado.

Here are some additional safety tips for different structures. If you are taking cover from a tornado in an apartment or college dorm, go to the lowest possible floor and most central room. Also, duck under an indoor stairwell or in an interior windowless hallway. Cover your head and neck to protect yourself from injury or death caused by falling debris.

If you are at home, move to the lowest level or to an interior room without windows like a bathroom or closet. If you have a basement it will be your safest option. Cover your head and neck to protect yourself from falling debris.

Mobile homes are not safe and people should seek alternative shelter if there is a tornado. NWS Jackson recommends people who live in mobile homes to make plans ahead of time to stay with friends or family who live in a sturdy building. Your last resort is to lie low and flat on your stomach with hands over your head in a ditch or a ravine.

More severe weather is forecast for next week but at this time the treat appears to be north of Jackson.

 

We will provide further updates about this storm tomorrow. Please send any video or pictures of weather oddities, hail, storm damage or tornadoes tomorrow night to hunter.cloud@dailyleader.com.