Rita: Category 4 Hurricane and Growing

Rita has reached Category 4 status this morning with maximum sustained winds of 135 MPH. Based on the model projections above, it appears that Galveston/Houston will avoid a direct hit, but will suffer what meteorologicists refer to as the "dirty" side of a hurricane - the side where most of the rain occurs.

Still awaiting word from the City of Houston as to whether my area (Montrose) will be asked to evacuate. There is currently a plan to ask people in low lying areas of the city to evacuate tomorrow morning.