Gov. Robert Bentley, Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Art Faulkner and others held a news conference Tuesday in Clanton to discuss Tropical Storm Isaac and how it is expected to affect Alabama.

Bentley and Faulkner, along with representatives of the National Weather Service and the American Red Cross, gathered at the state Emergency Management Agency operations center in Clanton to go over statewide preparations for Isaac, which the National Hurricane Center upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane Tuesday.

“Hurricane Isaac is still posing a serious threat to the state of Alabama,” Faulkner said.

Also present at the conference were Chris Osborne, regional communications officer for the American Red Cross, and Jim Stefkovich, meteorologist-in-charge with National Weather Service Birmingham.

The EMA center remains activated under the direction of Bentley.

“We’ll continue to get heavy periods of rain, wind, possible tornadoes and flooding,” Bentley said about Wednesday.

Those in affected areas are advised not to cross flooded roads and to use flashlights instead of candles when possible.

NWS Meteorologist Aaron Gleason said Chilton County could receive one to two inches of rainfall over the next few days, but the threat of tornados developing is minimal.

“Winds could be a little gusty at times,” Gleason said, adding that winds could reach 25 miles per hour. “There could be an occasional thunderstorm.”

A 60-percent chance of rain showers is forecast for Wednesday, with a slight chance of isolated thunderstorms and temperatures in the mid-80s, a bit below average given the widespread cloudiness, Gleason said.

Temperatures on Thursday and Friday should hover in the mid- to high 80s.

“We’re expecting the main threats to stay southwest of Chilton County,” Gleason said.

Chilton County EMA Director Bill Collum advised everyone to be prepared for an emergency and provided the following tips: