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Rita strengthens as Florida Keys brace for impact
Rita intensified from a tropical storm to a Category 2 hurricane as it battered the Florida Keys and moved toward the Gulf of Mexico. Authorities evacuated thousands in the Keys and northern Cuba while Galveston Texas prepared voluntary evacuations and planned to move Katrina refugees inland. Forecasters warned potential Category 4 strength with possible targets of Texas or Louisiana. Government leaders announced emergency actions and readiness, with FEMA, National Guard, and aid supplies mobilized.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Joe Cachia
Islamorada
Fla
Florida Keys
Gulf of Mexico
Key West
Texas
Louisiana
Keys
Cuba
Galveston
Houston
Arkansas
Mexico
Hurricane Center
FEMA
R. David Paulison
Florida
Gulf Coast
Bush
Rick Perry
Jeb Bush
National Guard
Jimmy Weekley
Rita
Florida Straits
The
National Hurricane Center
Iwo Jima
New Orleans
Kathleen Babineaux Blanco
C. Ray Nagin