Hurricane Rita at approximately 4:45 am EST.

Gulf of Mexico (Sept. 21, 2005) - GOES-12 Satellite image provided by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Monterey, Calif., showing the status of Hurricane Rita at approximately 4:45 am EST. Rita was upgraded to a Category 3 storm early Wednesday with 120 mph winds and forecasters said it could further intensify, sparking an order for mandatory evacuations in New Orleans and Galveston, Texas. Rita is expected to become a category four hurricane later today. The Military Sealift Command (MSC) hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) and other ships involved in Hurricane Katrina relief operations have been ordered to sortie in advance of Rita’s arrival. U.S. Navy photo