Thursday, September 22, 2005 6:04 PM EDT
Story by AccuWeather.com meteorologist Gerald Mohler
It is not often that we as meteorologists throw out terms like catastrophic or life-threatening. However, when dealing with a storm the magnitude of Rita, these terms are certainly appropriate. Rita will still be moving over warm water into Friday. This should allow it to still be a Category 4 storm when it makes landfall late Friday night or early Saturday. One should not focus on this timing though, as strong winds will spread well out ahead of the storm's center. Along the coast of northeastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana, winds are expected to reach tropical storm strength by Friday morning, so Friday will be too late complete any necessary preparations to your home or property. These should be done by the end of Thursday. Please monitor all statements issued by your local emergency management coordinators and heed all warnings and evacuation orders. If you live within a few miles of the coast, this is NOT a storm that you want to stay and try to ride out.
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