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NATCHEZ — The National Hurricane Center has named the tropical storm brewing in the Gulf of Mexico Francine. The center expects Francine to become a hurricane by Tuesday.

Francine has taken aim at the entire Gulf coastline of Louisiana.

The National Weather Service forecasts an elevated threat of heavy rains and winds for Natchez and Adams County beginning Wednesday night and continuing into Thursday.

Francine is expected to bring up to a 10-foot storm surge and 85-mile-per-hour winds when it plows into the Louisiana coast. Forecasters say it could leave behind six inches of rain along the coast and for miles inland.

For Natchez and Adams County, the National Weather Service in Jackson predicts 4 to 6 inches of rain from Francine, with wind gusts up to 25 miles per hour.

Adams County Emergency Management Director Robert Bradford said his agency is preparing to help citizens weather the storm.

“We have talked to the city and the county, and we are getting sand ready for sandbags,” he said.

Sandbags and sand will be available in the county on Majorca Road and at the Volunteer Fire Department on Foster Mound Road. The city will offer sandbags at the Public Works facility on Old Washington Road.

“People need to make sure to bring their own shovels,” Bradford said.

He said the Emergency Operations Center, which is located in the basement of the Adams County Jail, 201 South Wall St., will open on Wednesday to monitor the weather and conditions.

When necessary, the decision will be made whether to open the Safe Room, located on Liberty Road, adjacent to the Natchez Middle School.

“Schools will likely make a determination sometime on Wednesday as to whether to hold school on Thursday,” Bradford said.