State and local authorities say that several rounds of storms are expected to make their way through the north Georgia area tonight and into Thursday morning. 

In a Facebook post on Wednesday afternoon, Dawson County Fire and Emergency Services warned local residents that the main risk posed by the weather will be from a line of storms that are expected to come through northwest Georgia after midnight on Wednesday, making their way towards Dawson County in the early hours of Thursday morning.  

The post said that local residents should be aware of the possible severe weather and have an emergency plan in place. 

"Try to have at least 2 ways to receive warnings," the post said. "For your mobile devices, make sure they’re not on ‘Silent’ or ‘Do Not Disturb’ before you head to bed so alerts wake you if a warning is issued."

Beginning at midnight on Wednesday, Dawson County will open a "place of refuge" at Rock Creek Park in anticipation of the severe weather. Residents that live in mobile homes, manufactured homes or on the upper floors of multi-family housing developments that have no other shelter access, can seek shelter at Rock Creek Park during the storms. 

To sign up for emergency notifications from Dawson County Fire and Emergency services, visit https://www.smart911.com/smart911/registration/registrationLanding.action?cdnExternalPath=.