A severe weather outbreak is expected on Saturday in Alabama, according to the National Weather Service. NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has added -- and now expanded as of Thursday afternoon -- a rarely-used Level 4 out of 5 risk for parts of a large part of Alabama for Saturday.

As many as 150 million people in the U.S. face a potential severe weather outbreak in the coming days. Storms will likely reach the Tampa Bay area late Sunday, bringing a marginal risk of severe weather to part of the region.

Ahead of severe storms expected to hit Saturday and Sunday, several shelters are opening across North Georgia for residents in need.

When preparing for a severe weather situation, the one most important factor is having a safe place to shelter during the storm.