Tracking Rita
10:39 a.m. EDT: With winds decreasing to about 75 mph, Hurricane Rita is downgraded to a Category 1 storm. The slow-moving storm continues to drench the Texas/Louisiana coast.
9:43 a.m. EDT: CNN reports that oil refineries and chemical plants have suffered no major damage from Rita.
9:37 a.m. EDT: CNN reports that Rita is "weakening pretty rapidly" with winds weakening to about 100 mph. By noon EDT, Rita could be downgraded to Category 1. Houston and Galveston have been largely spared.
8:07 a.m. EDT: Associated Press reports that wind from Hurricne Rita fueled dramatic fires in Galveston's historic Strand District, as well as in parts of Houston—"even as rain poured down in sheets." In Galveston, a building was destroyed and two others were heavily damaged. No injuries were reported in Galveston or Houston—as both cities are largely depopulated.
8:00 a.m. EDT: The National Hurricane Center downgrades Rita to a Category 2 hurricane. Center of the hurricane located between Jasper and Beaumont, Texas.
8:00 a.m. EDT: Associated Press reports about 700,000 CenterPoint Energy customers without power from Galveston to Houston and north to Humble. An additional 55,000 Texas Entergy customers without power. North of Beaumont, Texas, a house floated off its foundation with seven people inside. The Jasper County sheriff's office says it's receiving reports about downed trees as well as buildings afire or torn apart by winds.
6:53 a.m. EDT: The Houston Chronicle reports that reverse gridlock is possible as millions of evacuees return home.
6:53 a.m. EDT: The Houston Chronicle reports that President Bush—"determined to show a vigorous role in hurricane response management"—planned to visit Texas later today. Bush scrubbed plans to visit Texas yesterday upon learning that emergency response workers were deploying early and his arrival may slow their progress. Today, Bush will visit Austin before going to San Antonio's Randolph Air Force Base, where personnel are working in the recovery effort.
4:30 a.m. EDT: The Associated Press reports that Rita's storm surge exacerbates problem with the breached levees in New Orleans' Ninth Ward. Flood waters continue to rise in the already devastated neighborhoods.
3:30 a.m. EDT: Rita slams ashore, bringing a 20-foot storm surge along with 120 mph winds and sheets of rain to Texas and Louisiana.
3:00 a.m. EDT: CNN reports that Beaumont, Texas, loses electricity as Rita lashes the coastal community.
2:20 a.m. EDT: In an interview with CNN, Port Arthur, Texas, Mayor Oscar Ortiz says he's afraid his city will be hit "real bad" as winds and rain pick up.
12:55 a.m. EDT: National Hurricane Center update says center of Hurricane Rita "wobbling toward landfall near Louisiana/Texas Border." The storm is moving at 11 mph, packing strong winds and heavy rains.
Day Two's Rita coverage: Friday, Septemeber 23
Day One's Rita coverage: Thursday, Septemeber 22
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