Jones County Emergency Management Executive Director Paul Sheffield reported Friday morning that the National Weather Service overnight moved the threat level up to a slight risk for severe storms in Jones County and the Pine Belt Region.
"Damaging wind gusts and hail up to quarter size will be the main hazards, but tornadoes can't be ruled out," said Sheffield. "We will monitor today and keep everyone posted. As always should we go under a watch we will open the safe room."
The timing for the severe weather is between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. today, Friday May 8.
The 361 Safe Room is located on Ellisville Blvd. in Jones County next to the Magnolia Center at the South Mississippi Fairgrounds.