Rita strengthens into a Category 3 hurricane

Hurricane Rita, moving westward away from the Florida Keys, early today strengthened into a Category 3 storm, capable of causing extensive damage. It is the fifth major hurricane of the 2005 season, which runs until November 30. The latest extended forecast says the storm could reach Category 4 strength before making landfall late Friday or early Saturday near Galveston, Texas. Forecasters, however, are not ruling out possible hits on Louisiana or northern Mexico.
http://www.cnn.com/rssclick/2005/WEATHER/09/21/rita/index.html?section=cnn_topstories