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By JAN GRIFFEY and SABRINA ROBERTSON

NATCHEZ — Natchez-Adams School District will close school early Wednesday and will be closed on Thursday because of bad weather expected in the area due to Tropical Storm Francine.

The National Weather Service in Jackson lists Natchez and Adams County as being in an elevated threat area for the storm’s effects. Francine is expected to increase to hurricane status sometime Tuesday as it moves northward across the western Gulf of Mexico. It is expected to make landfall on the Louisiana coast late Wednesday and continue northward across Southeast Louisiana and into Mississippi Wednesday night and  Thursday morning.

Meteorologists say the storm, as it moves north across the forecast area, has the potential for damaging winds, heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and isolated tornadoes.

The Adams County Emergency Management Agency began working with county and city officials to make preparations for the storms.

“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.

The Adams County Safe Room will open Wednesday at 7 p.m. Residents are asked to bring their own blankets and essential items. Small pets are also welcome but must be kept in kennels.

The Rotary Club of Natchez has canceled its noon meeting on Wednesday.

The Pilgrimage Garden Club is rescheduling its monthly luncheon for Friday, Sept. 20.

LOUISIANA

Concordia Parish School Superintendent Toyua Bachus announced Tuesday morning that a final call on whether schools would close or not in Concordia Parish would be made after a weather briefing at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Timothy Vanier, Director of the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness for Concordia Parish, told the Concordia Parish Police Jury on Monday the eye of the storm is expected to reach the area around 1 a.m. Thursday. Ahead of the storm, he said sandbags would be available to residents today from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the prison on Louisiana Highway 15.

“Our biggest threat is rain,” Vanier said, adding the area could receive 4 to 6 inches in a short period of time. The good news, he said, is that the ground is very dry and that would help keep drainage issues from happening.

Wind speeds could reach anywhere from 39 to 57 miles per hour, he said. Isolated severe storms are also possible, he said.

In a live video Tuesday morning, Vidalia Mayor Buz Craft advised residents to “be frugal” but be prepared. Have a case of water on supply but “there is no need to wipe the store shelves clean,” he said.

Top off fuel tanks just in case and be ready to check on neighbors in case the power goes out, which during this storm is very likely.

Craft said to report outages as they happen and workers would be out as quickly as possible to get them back on.

“During the storm, don’t get around down power lines. If they’re down, they could be hot,” Craft said.

He also advised to secure any outdoor items that could be susceptible to wind. If you have trampolines, turn them over and park vehicles in garage or away from trees, he said.

Trash pickup Wednesday is on a normal schedule and Thursday pickup is on a ‘wait and see’ basis, he said.

The Vidalia Mayor and Board of Aldermen meeting tonight will continue as scheduled.

Call 911 in case of emergencies. For any other calls related to the weather, the Vidalia Police Department can be reached at 318-336-5254 and Mayor Buz Craft at 601-807-3298.