Hurricane Rita

Hurricane Rita - coming right on the heels of Katrina, Hurricane Rita hit the Gulf region when it was already down.

Hurricane Rita

Hurricane Rita on the heels of Katrina

After seeing the horrifying effects that a hurricane can and did have on some parts of our country, many people came to the aid of those who survived and were left without food, water, homes, and even loved ones. The whole country was (and is) still reeling from the reality of the power of a natural disaster when along comes hurricane Rita. We all had to watch as an area that was already down, was now preparing to be kicked again.

There have been many deadly hurricanes in the past, but none that have so blatantly and unforgivingly taught us that hurricane safety is definitely not to betaken lightly. It is one of the most important humanitarian and security issues facing our nation today. The effects of these disasters will be felt for generations as more than a million people were displaced and a whole city must be both re-buit and re-examined.

Hurricane Rita was the most powerful hurricane that has been measured to have gotten into the Gulf of Mexico. At its peak its wind were blowing at 175 mph, making it a category 5 while still at sea. Luckily it lost some of its power before finally making landfall as a category 3 storm in Texas and Louisiana with wind speeds measured at 120 mph winds. Hurricane Rita also brought with it a storm surge of 10 feet. Even before hurricane Rita even touched down, its storm surge caused the levees that were broken by hurricane Katrina to reopen and re-flood the surrounding areas.

Initially, there were major safety concerns regarding refineries and shipping centers located in Texas, but so far hurricane Rita doesn't seem to have caused any long-term damage to these most vital industries. What Rita did do was reinforce the fact that all of us need to learn more about and be more aware of weather safety and home safety in areas that are prone to hurricanes. That was reinforced lately by hurricane Wilma, but there will be many others that we need to be better prepared for the next time.

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