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Tornadoes, strong winds and hail are possible for Marengo County residents after the Storm Prediction Center has placed the area in an enhanced risk of severe weather for Wednesday.

This has prompted a tornado watch for Marengo County until 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Daniel Martin, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Birmingham, said the potential for severe weather is likely to start around 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday.

“A large cluster of thunderstorms is currently over Mississippi, and that cluster will move over Alabama later today,” Martin said. “The main threats are from tornadoes, damaging winds and quarter-sized hail.”

Rainfall potential

While Martin said the main instability is over South Alabama, Marengo County could possibly experience some severe weather as evidenced by the enhanced risk being placed over the area. An additional risk today is from localized flash flooding.

“Expect two to four inches of rain today,” Martin said. “Where some of the heavier bands develop, the rainfall could exceed four inches, and that would be the main areas where flash flooding could set up.”

Storm Shelters

Marengo County has two storm shelters. They are located at:

• Marengo County Courthouse basement located in Linden
• Demopolis Civic Center basement

The Demopolis Police Department posted on its social media channel that the Demopolis Civic Center shelter will open at 12:30 p.m.

According to the Marengo County website, not all shelters will open at the same time.

“Shelters will open on an ‘as-needed basis and are subject to change. Please check the Marengo County E-911 / EMA Facebook page for announcements regarding shelter openings,” the website stated.

Closures

Wallace Community College will be closing its Demopolis campus at noon Wednesday.

Demopolis City Schools will be closing at 11:30 p.m.

The City of Linden closed City Hall at 11 a.m.

Strong winds possible Wednesday

Additionally,  gusty winds between 20-30 mph will be likely all day today. These winds are not associated with the severe thunderstorms. The high Wednesday is expected to reach 75 degrees.