AP: Texas

09/21/2005

Associated Press

Major developments Wednesday in the progress of Hurricane Rita and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina:

_Rita intensified to Category 4 hurricane as it headed across the Gulf of Mexico after brushing past Florida Keys. Forecasters said it would come ashore Saturday somewhere along Texas Gulf Coast between Galveston and Corpus Christi. Even slight turn and glancing blow could be devastating to New Orleans.

_As many as 1 million people were ordered to clear out along the Gulf Coast as mandatory evacuation orders were issued for New Orleans, Galveston, Texas, and vulnerable parts of Houston.

_Hospital and nursing home patients were evacuated from Galveston, where about 80 buses were assigned to carry people to inland shelters.

_Louisiana's death toll from Katrina rose to 799, pushing the total across the Gulf Coast to 1,036. Other states included are Mississippi, 219; Florida, 14; and Alabama and Georgia, 2 each.

_Experts in New Orleans warn that even a glancing blow from the storm and as little as 3 inches of rain could swamp the city's damaged levees. Engineers and contractors work furiously to repair levees and pumps that protect the below-sea-level city.

_Eager to avoid the public pounding he got for his response to Hurricane Katrina, President Bush pledged on Wednesday to be "ready for the worst."

_Estimated 319,000 National Guard troops nationwide were available to respond to Rita if needed, the Defense Department said. Several Navy amphibious assault ships were stationed offshore to assist relief efforts in Rita's wake.

_Crude-oil prices rose more than $1 a barrel as oil rigs were evacuated in the Gulf of Mexico, less than a month after Katrina tore through the same region. BP began closing parts of its big Texas City, Texas, refinery.