GOES-12 Satellite composite image

Gulf of Mexico (Sept. 23, 2005) - GOES-12 Satellite composite image provided by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Monterey, Calif., showing the status of Hurricane Rita at 1:00 am EST. Rita, a dangerous category three hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane scale, has maximum sustained winds near 135 mph with higher gusts. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 85 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 205 miles. The eye of Hurricane Rita was located approximately 220 miles Southeast of Galveston, Texas and about 210 miles Southeast of Port Arthur, Texas. 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 RitaÕs arrival. U.S. Navy photo (RELEASED) For more information go to: www.nrlmry.navy.mil/