From the National Hurricane Center, 2 AM …
DATA FROM THE KEY WEST NOAA DOPPLER RADAR INDICATE MAXIMUM
SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE NOW INCREASED TO NEAR 115 MPH…185 KM/HR…
WITH HIGHER GUSTS. RITA IS NOW A CATEGORY THREE HURRICANE ON THE
SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE. ADDITIONAL STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST DURING
THE NEXT 24 HOURS…AND RITA IS EXPECTED TO BECOME A CATEGORY FOUR
HURRICANE SOMETIME LATER TODAY.