Hurricane Rita (18 Sept 2005 – 26 Sept 2005)

Hurricane Rita Path

Hurricane Rita originated from a tropical wave that emerged from the west coast of Africa on September 7, 2005. The wave moved westward across the Atlantic Ocean, and on September 17, it developed into a tropical depression. The depression continued to strengthen and became Tropical Storm Rita on September 18. Rita quickly intensified, becoming a hurricane on September 20.

Rita then began to weaken slightly as it moved toward the Gulf of Mexico. It made landfall near the Texas – Louisiana border on September 24, 2005, with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h). The storm then weakened further and moved northeastward through Arkansas, Missouri, and Tennessee before dissipating on September 26.

Hurricane Rita Category

Hurricane Rita was a Category 5 hurricane at its peak intensity, with maximum sustained winds of 180 mph (285 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 895 mbar. However, by the time it made landfall, it had weakened to a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h). The storm surge caused by Rita was as high as 20 feet (6.1 meters) in some areas along the Gulf Coast.

Damage by Rita

Hurricane Rita caused significant damage and loss of life along the Gulf Coast of the United States. The storm surge caused extensive flooding and damage to homes and businesses in coastal areas of Texas and Louisiana. Many residents evacuated before the storm, causing severe traffic congestion and logistical issues.

The storm caused 120 deaths in the United States, including 23 in Florida, 6 in Texas, and 91 in Louisiana. The damage caused by Rita was estimated to be $25 billion, making it one of the costliest hurricanes in US history.

In addition to the human toll, Hurricane Rita also caused significant environmental damage. The storm caused multiple oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico, including the release of millions of gallons of oil from a damaged drilling platform. The cleanup efforts after the storm were extensive and costly.

In conclusion, Hurricane Rita was a powerful and destructive storm that caused significant damage and loss of life along the Gulf Coast of the United States. While it was not as catastrophic as Hurricane Katrina, which had struck the same area just a few weeks earlier, it still had a devastating impact on the region.