NATCHEZ — Adams County could see gusts of winds up to 45 miles per hour today from Hurricane Ike, which may result in some power outages.

Due to weakened trees and limbs and saturated ground, it’s almost inevitable debris will fall, said Stan Owens, Adams County Emergency Management Director.

Entergy Customer Service Manager Stephen Caruthers said he’s prepared to deal with downed lines with the 20 to 30 miles per hour-sustained winds the county is predicted to experience.

“That’s a concern for us,” Caruthers said.

Limbs are still falling from Hurricane Gustav and any added wind is going to cause more problems, Caruthers said.

Although he hopes they are minor ones.

“I would say that we expect we will have outages, but not near the amount we had last week,” he said.

Friday afternoon, as bands from the huge storm system passed through the area, a 36-mile per hour wind speed was recorded by the Adams County EMA.

The main brunt of the weather will be seen early this morning and Owens said hopefully it will weaken throughout the day to finally be gone by Sunday.

The area is expected to get heavy rain — between 2 to 4 inches — and potentially, tornadoes.

It is even possible that the county may see tropical storm force winds.

The county is currently under a hazardous weather outlook and a wind advisory.

Ike is projected to make a sharp northeastern turn inland after it makes landfall and moves into Arkansas.

“If Ike decides to come over about 20 or 30 miles east of where it’s projected, of course (effects here) will increase,” Owens said.

The National Weather Service stressed the similarities between Ike and Hurricane Rita, with Ike off Rita’s track by only 50 to 75 miles to the west.

Ike has been compared in size to Hurricane Katrina, yet does not have the same strength.

Tropical storm force winds extend from Ike’s eye by 300 miles.

Friday afternoon, it was projected to make landfall late Friday night or very early this morning on the threshold between a Category 2 and a Category 3 storm.

Owens said the city and county are not expecting but are prepared for the worst.

“I believe everybody is prepared and ready,” he said.