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NATCHEZ—The Natchez Safe Room opened Friday afternoon in preparation for severe weather expected for Friday evening and Saturday.

The National Weather Service in Jackson has moved Natchez and Adams County into the “moderate risk” category, in which tornadoes, some strong, with large hail and damaging winds to 70 miles per hour, are likely to occur.

The forecast for Natchez on Friday night calls for a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5 a.m. On Saturday, the forecast is for showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 3 p.m. Some could be severe. The chance of rain is 80 percent, and the expected high is 76.

Robert Bradford, Adams County Emergency Management Agency director, said Natchez and Adams County are in the marginal risk area for Friday night. That risk is expected to ramp up on Saturday morning. He said the county’s Safe Room will be open until the severe weather passes on Saturday.

“There is a lot of uncertainty right now,” Bradford said Friday. “The radar we use doesn’t go past Vidalia (Louisiana), so we will no more as the weather approaches Vidalia. We are just in that gray area as far as radar goes.”

He said the weather forecast for this area would be conducive to producing tornadoes and quarter-sized hail.

“It looks like it may be worse on the eastern side of Adams County — Cranfield, Jeanette Crossing and Garden City,” Bradford said.

The weather forecast for Saturday night calls for clear skies with a low around 51. Sunday should be sunny with a high near 65.

For those headed to the Safe Room, please bring food, drinks, medication, a blanket, and other essential items. Small pets are welcome, but they must be in a kennel, said Dr. Neifa Hardy, the community liaison officer with Adams County Emergency Management.