DOTHAN, Ala. (RSN): Police have set up a perimeter on the south side of Dothan while searching for suspects in a reported home burglary involving a firearm.

The incident was first reported around 1:45 p.m. Friday near Owens Street and Rollins Street.

Initial reports indicated two suspects may be involved.

Officers are concentrated inside Ross Clark Circle, near Oates Street and Carroll Street.

Avoid the area and use caution if you’re nearby.

No report whether anyone has been injured or taken into custody.

This is a developing story. RSN will update as more information becomes available.

ALABAMA: A little planning, a steady voice and a flashlight or two can turn a scary night into a family story.

If you’ve ever watched a dog bury its head under the couch at the first rumble of thunder or seen a little one’s eyes go wide when the sirens start, you know the youngest and furriest members of your family feel storms the hardest. The good news: you can make a real difference with a few simple steps.

+Pack a comfort kit before you need it

Think of it as a go-bag with a hug built in. For each child, tuck in a flashlight, a beloved stuffed animal or blanket, a few snacks, water and a book or quiet game. For each pet, gather food, water, any medications, a leash or carrier, and a recent photo in case you get separated.

While you’re at it, double-check that your pets’ collars have current ID tags and that their microchip info is up to date. And pick your shelter spot now: usually an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows.

+Talk to your kids like the capable little people they are.

Kids handle storms better when they know what to expect. Tell them in plain, age-appropriate words what’s happening, what your family will do to stay safe, and that the grown-ups have it covered. Skip the scary details, and don’t brush off their worries. “I know the thunder is loud, and it’s okay to feel nervous” goes a long way.

+Practice your plan on a sunny afternoon. Kids who’ve rehearsed the trip to the shelter spot feel braver when the real thing happens.

Make it fun (yes, really)

+Distraction is your secret weapon. Break out a card game, tell silly stories, sing songs or put on a flashlight shadow-puppet show. Turn the shelter into a blanket fort and suddenly it’s an adventure instead of a scare.

For pets, bring out the good treats, comfortable blanket, a favorite toy or a long-lasting chew. Soft music or a white-noise machine can help drown out the thunder.

+Let your pets hide

Many dogs and cats head straight for small, cozy spaces when they’re frightened. Let them! A crate draped with a blanket, a closet or even the bathtub can make a perfect den. Don’t coax a nervous pet out.

Pets read our moods, so take a breath and keep your voice low and steady. Offer gentle pats if they want them. And never scold an animal for trembling, whining or hiding. They’re not misbehaving, they’re scared.

If you need to move fast or evacuate, keep dogs leashed and cats in carriers. Frightened animals can bolt right through an open door.

+A few don’ts

Don’t leave pets outside or tied up in severe weather.

Don’t leave children alone, even for a minute.

Don’t open windows or step outside to “take a look.”

Don’t hide your own nerves. If you’re feeling anxious, take slow, deep breaths where the kids can see you. They’ll copy you.

+Once the skies clear

Watch for downed power lines, broken glass, and debris. Keep pets on a leash outdoors at first, since familiar sights and smells may be off and animals can get disoriented.

Expect a few lingering jitters. Extra cuddles, regular routines and a good night’s sleep will help everyone settle back in. If a child or pet shows ongoing distress, like repeated nightmares, a lost appetite or constant hiding, check in with your child’s pediatrician or animal’s veterinarian.

The bottom line: Prepare early, stay calm, keep everybody together and keep them busy. Your steady presence is the best safety gear a scared kid or pet could ask for.

WIREGRASS: Folks in the Wiregrass don’t need a lecture on severe weather. Many of us still remember the scars Hurricane Michael left on our communities, and the long days of cleanup and waiting for the lights to come back on.

Isaias isn’t expected to be anything like Michael, but it still brings real challenges to our area. Strong winds, heavy rain with the potential for flooding, tornadoes and power outages can turn an ordinary weekend upside down.

It’s also worth remembering that every tropical system comes with some “wiggle room.” A storm rarely follows the forecast track exactly, and Isaias has already shown us that. It has been creeping a little farther east than expected.

So be smart, stay safe and keep an eye on the changing conditions. Check the forecast often, charge your phones and make sure you have a way to receive warnings tonight.

We’ve been through worse, and we’ll get through this one together.

Isaias is a dangerous Category 3 hurricane this Friday afternoon, and it’s heading for the Florida Panhandle coast with landfall expected this evening. The National Hurricane Center is forecasting a Category 3 at landfall. There’s a chance it weakens to a Category 2 before then, but hope isn’t a plan. Prepare for a Category 3 and significant impacts near the eyewall, even as the storm moves into Alabama.

Most of the reliable guidance points to Fort Walton Beach for landfall but remember: a hurricane is more than a single dot on the map. Its impacts reach far beyond where the center comes ashore.

Wind: Here in the Wiregrass, expect widespread gusts of 40-60 mph. Areas within the cone could see gusts of 60-80 mph well into Alabama, and it will be even stronger along the Panhandle. Okaloosa, Walton and Covington counties will see the biggest impacts in our viewing area.

Rain: Totals of 2-4 inches are likely, with heavier bands bringing 4-7 inches. With the ground already soaked, we expect widespread tree damage and power outages.

Timing: The main impact window is 5 p.m. to midnight.

Tornadoes: The threat is mainly confined to far southeast Alabama, southward to the coast, then shifting eastward overnight. We’ll be watching the back edge of the rain shield as it lifts northward, since that’s where the main tornado threat will develop later this evening.

Stay weather aware, charge your phones, and have a plan to get warnings tonight. We’ll be with you every step of the way.

WIREGRASS: Storms, high winds and equipment failures can leave homes without power for hours or days. Emergency officials say a few simple steps can protect your family, your food and your property until the lights come back on.

First steps-

*Check whether neighbors are also out. If only your home is dark, check your breaker panel.

*Report the outage to your utility and call 911 for downed lines or emergencies. Stay at least 30 feet away from any downed line.

*Turn off or unplug major appliances and electronics to avoid damage from a surge when power returns. *Leave one light on so you know when service is restored.

Light and communication-

Use flashlights or battery lanterns instead of candles, which are a leading cause of house fires during outages.

*Conserve phone battery by lowering screen brightness and closing apps. A battery-powered or hand-crank radio keeps you informed.

Food safety-

*Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. A fridge keeps food cold for about four hours, and a full freezer about 48 hours (24 if half full).

*Discard perishable food that has been above 40°F for more than two hours.

Heating, cooling and generators-

Remember, never run a generator, grill or camp stove indoors, in a garage or near windows. Carbon monoxide can kill within minutes.

*Place generators outdoors, well away from the house, and don’t plug them into wall outlets unless a licensed electrician installed a transfer switch. *Back feeding can endanger utility workers.

Check on your vulnerable neighbors. Older adults, young children and people who rely on medical equipment are most at risk. If someone depends on electrically powered devices, contact their provider and your utility about emergency plans.

Be ready!

Keep a kit with flashlights, extra batteries, bottled water, nonperishable food, medications, a first-aid kit and a portable phone charger.

We’re watching several outer bands from Isaias (shown in dashed red lines) drift north (shown by the red arrow). These bands are producing several embedded areas of rotation that are likely producing waterspouts. Individual storms are moving along the line (see the orange arrows parallel to the line), but the line itself, and attendant tornado threat, is drifting towards the coast. This will quickly increase the tornado threat through the afternoon and evening and it’s possible several tornadoes could form within these bands through tonight.

The tornado threat across areas north of the watch in Georgia and Alabama is still several hours away and it will take time for the threat to push inland.