Hurricane Rita

Hurricane Rita was a powerful hurricane in the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. It hit the United States' Gulf Coast. At its peak intensity, it was a strong Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 175 miles per hour. It made landfall as a Category 3 storm, and caused more flooding in New Orleans, which already had weakened levees due to Hurricane Katrina. In addition, it caused large power outages.

Hurricane Rita
Category 5 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)
Rita 2005-09-21 1610Z.jpg
Hurricane Rita near peak intensity on September 21
FormedSeptember 18, 2005
DissipatedSeptember 26, 2005
Highest winds1-minute sustained: 180 mph (285 km/h)
Lowest pressure895 mbar (hPa); 26.43 inHg
Fatalities120
Damage$21.5 billion (2005 USD)
Areas affectedHispaniola, Turks and Caicos Islands, Bahamas, Cuba, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Great Lakes region
Part of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Rita Media

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