Hurricane Rita Enters the Gulf of Mexico Expected Path Texas or Louisiana

September 20th 2005

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The storm warnings for the Florida Keys have been discontinued now that the hurricane has moved in the Gulf.  The Keys were saved from the brunt of the storm as it passed through the Florida Straits between the Keys and Cuba.  It gathered strength attaining wind speeds of 115 mph making Rita a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

Rita is expected to reach category 4 by the time she makes landfall probably in Texas.  Louisiana and Mexico are other possible destinations. According to the National Weather Service, Rita is currently 145 miles west-southwest of Key West Florida and about 130 miles northwest of Havana Cuba. 

Rita is moving toward the west at about 14mph.  This is expected to continue for the next 24 hours taking the center of Rita into the open southeastern Gulf of Mexico.  The warm water of the gulf is expected to strengthen Rita, possibly making her a category 4 hurricane. 

The National Weather Service says “isolated tornadoes will be possible over south Florida and the Florida Keys tonight and early Wednesday.”  The Keys can expect up to 12 inches of rain total. 

Acting FEMA Director R. David Paulison told reporters that the agency has aircraft and busses available for evacuating residents of the areas that might be hit.  According to AP Galveston has started evacuations on Tuesday and officials have made plans to remove evacuees from Hurricane Katrina from Houston to Arkansas. 

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By Dan Wilson
Best Syndication Staff Writer

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