NATCHEZ — Adams County Emergency Management officials are asking Miss-Lou residents to prepare for the worst this weekend as the threat of severe weather — including damaging winds and possible tornados — moves into the area.

The National Weather Service in Jackson is predicting severe weather to hit Adams County and Concordia Parish from 3 a.m. until noon Sunday with 100 percent change of rainfall starting tonight.

Winds gusts are expected to reach as high as 20 mph with new rainfall amounts totaling between 1 and 2 inches.

Adams County EMA Director Robert Bradford Sr. said a squall line type system with damaging winds is the primary threat for the Miss-Lou.

“High winds are the main thing we’re looking at right now, but we can’t rule out the possibility of tornadoes,” Bradford said. “It’s going to be fast moving and coming in at a bad time, so that’s why we want people to be aware of what’s going on and prepare as much as possible.”

Bradford said he and others with the Adams County EMA office will participate in a weather briefing at 2 p.m. today with the NWS Jackson office to get an update on the storm.

“That’s to make sure everyone is on the same sheet of music and understanding what the impacted areas are going to be,” Bradford said. “We’re not in the high or extreme levels yet, but we want people to prepare now and if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. It’s better to be prepared for the worst and something not happen.”

Bradford encouraged residents to ensure their cell phones are charged and have any weather radios turned on before they go to sleep tonight.

The Adams County EMA office will be open at 10 p.m. to monitor the storm as it moves through the area.