Heavy rains associated with Rita are forecast to begin to affect the western and central Gulf of Mexico coastal areas tonight into Friday. Rita is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 8 to 12 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 15 inches from the central Texas coast to southwestern Louisiana. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches will be possible elsewhere across southern Louisiana Including the New Orleans metropolitan area. After Rita moves inland total rain accumulations of 5 to 10 inches will be possible over eastern Texas... and central and eastern Oklahoma during Saturday and Sunday.
Movement toward...west-northwest near 9 mph. Maximum sustained winds...170 mph. Minimum central pressure... 907 mb. Wind gusts reported at 212mph