Rita

This can't be good:

GALVESTON, Texas - Hospital and nursing home patients were evacuated and as many as 1 million other people were ordered to clear out along the Gulf Coast on Wednesday as Hurricane Rita grew to a Category 5, 165-mph monster that could pummel Texas and bring more misery to New Orleans by week’s end.

Forecasters said Rita could be the most intense hurricane on record ever to hit Texas, and one of the most powerful ever to slam into the U.S. mainland.

I've stayed at Galveston's Moody Gardens a few times and visited the pyramids. The city hasn't regained its splendor before the deadly 1900 hurricane but a certain beach town charm remains. Here's hoping Rita weakens as it hits land and that Galveston and the rest of the areas in its path are spared the worst.

The National Hurricane Center has updated satellite photos, reports and public advisories.

More updates via the Weather Channel, TheStorm Track and Weather Underground.

The Wall Street Journal has a storm tracker updated regularly with news on the hurricane.

MSNBC's Citizen Journalists Report features readers sharing their experiences preparing for Rita.

Live webcams are available at Galveston Island's Visitor Information Center.

• Image from nhc.noaa.gov.

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