WATCHING RITA

Rita has become a tropical storm, and is expected to grow further. Therefore, a hurricane warning has been issued for the Lower Keys, Jeb! has issued a state of emergency, and non-residents/tourists are being ordered to evacuate.

The storm is not expected to cause any real effect on us here in Central Florida, but we've learned over time to always watch these tropical systems. As you can see by the forecast path map above, by week's end Rita is expected to become a major (Catagory 3) hurricane and strike somewhere along the middle/south Texas coast. However, remember that the bubble also covers part of northern Mexico and most of the Louisiana coast...something those poor folks certainly DON'T need.