Weakened Karen may be downgraded to tropical depression before hitting La. Coast; Sheriff’s Office to continue extra patrols from early Saturday to early Sunday mornings

Tropical Storm Karen weakened overnight Friday and may be downgraded to a tropical depression by the time it hits the Louisiana Coast Saturday night, weather forecasters said. There could still be rains of 1-3 inches in places and winds of 20-30 mph in the St. Bernard Parish area. A 10 a.m. track of the storm showed it could touch off lower Plaquemines Parish Saturday night and move along Gulf Coast states to Georgia. St. Bernard Parish Sheriff James Pohlmann, after a conference call Saturday morning with state officials, said the department will continue its plan to have extra patrols from early Saturday to early Sunday mornings – particularly in the areas outside the hurricane protection areas of easternmost St. Bernard. “This is a precaution,’’ the sheriff said. “There could be some heavy rainfall in places and residents should be careful about road conditions if they will driving.” “The extra patrols will be undertaken to make sure we have manpower in all areas in the event of a problem as well as for extra protection for property of residents.’’ Also, a check point will continue at Reggio at the junction to Yscloskey and Delacroix Island in eastern St. Bernard. People who live or have camps outside the levee protection system have been moving boats and vehicles to higher ground, many parking camper vehicles on the sides of the Louisiana 46 Extension near the flood gate at Verret. “Stay alert, keep up with weather reports and call the Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501 for any emergencies related to the storm,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. Meanwhile, Parish President David Peralta signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency for the parish, effective Saturday at 8 a.m. Residents can stay updated through local media and the sheriff’s web site at www.sbso.org, the parish government web site at www.sbpg.net, through Facebook and Twitter.