Sheriff’s Office monitoring movement of Tropical Storm Karen and residents should remain alert and pay attention to weather reports

The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with parish government, is monitoring Tropical Storm Karen and while the system appears to be heading north-northeast the sheriff said residents should be prepared for rain and winds beginning as early as Friday night or Saturday.

The sheriff said residents and business operators should be alert and prepared for things including possible rain water build-up on streets and even possible electrical outages.

The Sheriff’s Office is prepared for a rain event, Sheriff Pohlmann, including a new high-water truck that can be used for such things as rescuing people in localized street flooding or moving groups if officers to respond to an emergency.

Areas of eastern St. Bernard Parish outside the parish’s hurricane protection levee system would be most vulnerable.

For emergencies, call the Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501.

Tropical Storm Karen strengthened Thursday, reaching sustained winds of roughly 65 miles per hour as it headed toward open water.

Forecasters expect the storm to turn more northward and slow down during the next two days, although it could tack east for a landfall near Alabama and the Florida panhandle.

Gov. Bobby Jindal declared a state of emergency, and mobilized 650 Louisiana National Guard troops to respond to the storm.

St. Bernard Parish President David Peralta said parish officials and staff are in constant communications with the National Weather Service and surrounding key agencies to monitor the current weather situation. To help protect against localized flooding caused by rains, residents are reminded they can do certain things to help, including clearing debris from drains, gutters and downspouts, securing lawn furniture, garbage dumpsters and other objects that could be moved by strong winds. Also, have an emergency kit ready with a flashlight, batteries, radio, first aid supplies, basic tools, and extra car keys.

Parish government reminds residents who haven’t signed up with the parish’s Emergency Notification Service Provider, FirstCall, can do so now by calling (504) 278-4268. The FirstCall Emergency Notification Service can immediately deliver emergency alerts to citizens and first responders. These alerts will go to landlines, cell phones, SMS text messaging devices, email and pagers. Mass numbers of residents can be alerted with important information in five minutes or less. You must provide the name of your cell provider when registering for FirstCall.