From the NHC Tropical Cyclone Report Hurricane Rita 18-26 September 2005:
Rita was an intense hurricane that reached Category 5 strength (on the Saffir-Simpson
Hurricane Scale) over the central Gulf of Mexico, where it had the fourth-lowest central pressure
on record in the Atlantic basin. Although it weakened prior to making landfall as a Category 3
hurricane near the Texas/Louisiana border, Rita produced significant storm surge that devastated
coastal communities in southwestern Louisiana, and its winds, rain, and tornadoes caused
fatalities and a wide swath of damage from eastern Texas to Alabama. Additionally, Rita caused
floods due to storm surge in portions of the Florida Keys.
Here is some Hurricane Rita data and animations.
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