HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WHLT) – The Pine Belt could face dangerous weather conditions on Saturday, March 15. Officials with the Forrest County Emergency Management said widespread damage is expected.

The greatest threat to the area is expected to occur between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Saturday. If you live in a mobile home, you’re advised to seek shelter.

“It’s just very important for those that live in manufactured homes to be able to go to one of our shelters. This could be one in Forrest County, Lamar County, or those that are listening that are in Jones County. And if you do not go to a shelter, make sure that you get out of the manufactured home and go spend time with family that may have a brick and mortar-type house,” said Terri Bell, president of the Forrest County Board of Supervisors.

Flooding, hail, fallen trees and widespread power outages are likely.

“If you’re in low-lying areas, obviously you want to be concerned about rising water. Green’s Creek can take a good bit of water, but once it overflows, we’ve got problems. This seems like it’s going to be a hit-and-run event. So, once it gets out of here, obviously we’re concerned about downed trees and things of that nature. So if you don’t have to travel and not have to be out, just stay at home and stay put,” said Petal Mayor Tony Ducker.

Emergency crews are concerned about a tornado outbreak, which could cause EF-4 or EF-5 tornadoes. Forrest County has increased the number of emergency responders and cleanup crews that can be deployed during and after the storm.

“City crews are ready for whatever happens. We have an extra police that are on call. We have crews and public works and tree crews on call. If we need to, we can deploy up to nine different teams across the city if the worst should happen, which we hope it doesn’t. So, we hope people will be weather aware,” said Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker.

Forrest County supervisors said they’re fully prepared to provide immediate assistance if needed after the storm.

Shelters in Forrest County will open as soon as a Tornado Watch has been issued. Shelters in Lamar County have opened.