St. Bernard Sheriff announces parishwide curfew from 8 p.m. today to 6 p.m. Wednesday because of expected heavy rains and wind from Hurricane Isaac; Curfew in effect now for areas outside hurricane levee system which was ordered evacuated Monday

St. Bernard Parish Sheriff James Pohlmann has announced a parishwide curfew from 8 p.m. today to 6 p.m. Wednesday because of expected heavy rains and wind from Isaac, which was elevated to a hurricane today.

Also, the curfew went into effect immediately and will be in effect for more than 24 hours for areas outside the hurricane protection levee system in eastern St. Bernard, which Parish President David Peralta ordered a mandatory evacuation on Monday, Pohlmann said.

“We will begin a curfew at 8 p.m. inside the levee system, which gives any businesses still open time to take care of customers who need items in preparation for the hurricane,’’ Pohlmann said.

But a curfew will be in effect at 8 p.m. tonight and all day Wednesday to 6 p.m. “out of concern for public safety’’ as St. Bernard Parish experiences heavy rains and winds from Hurricane Isaac, the sheriff said.

Rains of 13-18 inches are possible over the next several days, , according to the National Weather Service, which would cause street flooding, Pohlmann said. Combined with winds that could be 80 mph it creates a situation” where we don’t want anyone on the streets,’’ the sheriff said.

Sheriff Pohlmann said he understands. “There is a level of anxiety created when a hurricane is coming so close to the parish. After our experience with Hurricane Katrina, no one wants to go through it again.’’

He added, “And it raises the anxiety level higher when this hurricane is making landfill on the anniversary of Katrina, further bringing up memories of that tragedy for our parish.

“Good luck to everyone affected by Hurricane Isaac.’’

“The Sheriff’s Office is cooperating with Parish President Peralta and the Parish Council and are prepared for the storm,” the sheriff said.

“We have everything in place and everyone has their assignment,’’ he said of deputies.

Sheriff’s deputies will continue to patrol, assisted by the Louisiana National Guard which will provide high-water vehicles in St. Bernard, Sheriff Pohlmann said. Deputies were instructed, he said, that while on patrol in subdivisions they should drive slowly through water to make sure they don’t create higher water for resident’ homes.

Wind was up to nearly 50 mph at Shell Beach in easternmost St. Bernard late Tuesday and water was rising on the roadways also outside the levee syste