BROOKHAVEN — A tornado watch is in effect for Lincoln County according to the National Weather Service. The watch was issued at 6 a.m. until 1 p.m. Pike, Amite, Franklin, Copiah, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis and Lawrence Counties are all under a tornado watch right now. A flash flood warning is in effect for Jefferson County at this time.

The Lincoln County Safe Room will open Wednesday morning. Emergency Management Agency Director Chris Reid made the announcement Tuesday afternoon ahead of severe weather Wednesday.

The safe room will open at the Brookhaven Building located at 1154 Beltline Drive will open at 9 a.m. Wednesday. Reid said the weather event could last for several hours.

“Please remember to bring any items you may need with you to the safe room (medications, food, water etc.) No pets are allowed,” Reid said.

The weather has schools in Lincoln, Lawrence County School Districts closing Wednesday. Copiah-Lincoln Community College announced all classes and campus would be closed Wednesday. Brookhaven and Wesson School Districts will be closed Wednesday.

Stormy forecast

A multi-day rain event could dump anywhere between 4 to eight inches of rain on Lincoln County. The Bogue Chitto River and Bayou Pierre are two local bodies of water which could experience flooding. Excessive runoff following the heavy rainfall could cause flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and low lying areas. Extensive street flooding is possible according to NWS Jackson.

“You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued,” NWS Jackson states.

Minor flooding is forecast for the Pearl River near Monticello. At 24 feet, water starts to appear in low areas in the eastern parts of Monticello. The river stage Tuesday is at 10.5 feet. NWS Jackson forecasts the river will fall to 8.9 feet Wednesday before sharply rising Thursday morning by 10 feet. The Pearl River near Monticello is expected to rise above flood stage at 22 feet by Thursday evening and continuing to 24.5 feet Friday.

Lincoln County is placed under an elevated threat of flooding according to the National Weather Service. Forecasts show 2 to 5 inches of rain is possible with areas of flash flooding likely for the area. Some roads may become flooded and closed with some structures possibly threatened with inundation. Minor to moderate river flooding is possible for the area starting Tuesday into Wednesday evening.

The biggest weather threat for the region will not come until Wednesday. NWS Jackson placed Lincoln, Jefferson, Franklin, Copiah, Pike and Lawrence Counties under a moderate risk of severe storms. Damaging wind gusts could reach 60 to 70 mph with some hail, tornadoes are likely with some possibly strong. Storms should move through the area between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday.