Tropical storm Rita to become Hurricane by tonight. Projected target...

[Javaman]

Texas and LOUISIANNA...

http://www.weather.com/newscenter/tropical/?from=wxcenter_news


Tropical Storm Rita is strengthening rapidly now and will likely reach hurricane intensity by this evening. Rita is expected to churn westward through the Straits of Florida tomorrow, battering the Florida Keys and western Cuba in the process. The hurricane is, in fact, forecast to reach category 2 strength before it clears the straits. Hurricane warnings are now posted for the Keys from Ocean Reef to the Dry Tortugas including Florida Bay and for the extreme southern Florida Peninsula from Golden Beach southward to Florida City and westward to East Cape Sable. Hurricane warnings are also flying for portions of the northwest Bahamas and parts of west-central Cuba. A tropical storm warning and hurricane watch are in effect for portions of south Florida outside the areas under hurricane warnings.
Storm surge flooding of 6 to 9 feet above normal tide levels is possible in the Keys in areas of onshore flow. Heavy surf will accompany the surge. Rainfall amounts of 6 to 10 inches are expected, although isolated totals of up to 15 inches are not out of the question.

Rita is expected to continue on a westward course into the Gulf of Mexico, quite likely powering up into a very dangerous major hurricane (winds over 110 mph) by midweek. All residents along the western Gulf from extreme northern Mexico to Louisiana should pay close attention to the future of Rita.

Elsewhere in the Atlantic Basin, Hurricane Phillippe (75 mph) is centered about 365 miles east of the Leeward Islands. Phillippe is forecast to crank up into a category 2 hurricane as it continues to swirl in a general northward direction. Such a track would keep it well east of the Leewards.

In the central and eastern Pacific, Hurricanes Jova (105 mph) and Kenneth (115 mph) and Tropical Storm Max (65 mph) are all moving (or forecast to move) in general northwesterly directions. None of the cyclones threatens any land areas.

[Sunkiss BlueStar]

1. Saw it on the Weather Channel

this Cane is predicted to hit all the Oil Rigs and Barges. Guess I better fill up the tanks again.