KEY WEST, Fla. Sep 21, 2005 — Rita intensified into a Category 4 hurricane Wednesday with wind of 135 mph, deepening concerns that the storm could devastate coastal Texas and already-battered Louisiana by week's end.
Mandatory evacuations already have been ordered for New Orleans and Galveston, Texas, one day after Rita skirted the Florida Keys as a Category 2 storm, causing minimal damage.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff urged residents to heed calls for evacuation Wednesday.
Looks like New Orleans might be in for it all over again... :(
