Hurricane Rita is the seventeenth named storm, ninth hurricane, fifth major hurricane, and was the second Category 5 hurricane of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. This hurricane (currently Category 4) is on record as being the strongest measured hurricane to ever have entered the Gulf of Mexico. The storm has already struck Florida and Cuba, and currently threatens Texas and Louisiana. The system reached Category 5 strength on the afternoon of September 21, 2005, and is currently expected to make landfall with estimated winds of 145 mph sometime on September 24, to the east of Galveston. Evacuation orders have been issued for parts of the Texas coast, and storm-ravaged New Orleans.
Rita is now estimated by NOAA to be past its peak, but became the third most intense hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic basin, having achieved a minimum central pressure of 897 millibar (26.49 inches of mercury). Under current forecasts, it will be one of the most intense hurricanes ever to strike land in the United States. Forecasters from the National Hurricane Center are issuing warnings about the unpredictability of large storms such as Rita, since there is a far smaller information base to work from. It is still an "extremely dangerous" major hurricane, capable of causing localized catastrophic damage from straight line winds, flooding, storm surge, vortexes and tornado activity. Meterological authorities in the US urge individuals to take all appropriate precautions, including observing evacuation orders if in effect.
Because the Gulf of Mexico is a major center for crude oil production and refineries, as well as home to some of the busiest ports in the world, Rita has the potential to do damage beyond the localized wind and wave surge. The spot market for crude oil and gasoline futures both spiked when it became clear that Rita's path would take it towards the Gulf and towards Texas. Gasoline prices, already elevated by strong demand and a previous hurricane in the Gulf, are predicted to increase again by several major energy analysts on Wall Street. There are increasing concerns that this may further weaken GDP growth in the US and around the world in late 2005.
Only three Category 5 hurricanes have hit the United States: the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, Hurricane Camille in 1969, and, most recently, Hurricane Andrew in 1992. As of September 22, the National Hurricane Center estimates that upon making landfall Rita's winds will have decreased to 145 mph from their steady-peak of 175 mph. If accurate, this would place Hurricane Rita just under Category 5 when it strikes land.
Hurricane Rita post are Categorized as follows:
Current Hurricane Rita News
Rita – Pictures
Rita - Preparations/Expectations before landfall
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