Hurricane Rita strengthens

2005-09-23 14:27

Miami - Hurricane Rita strengthened to category two, packing winds of 160km/h early on Tuesday afternoon, the Miami-based National Weather Centre announced.

The storm headed from Atlantic waters off Cuba toward the Gulf of Mexico and was expected to pass about 65km off Key West, the southernmost city in a chain of islands linked to mainland Florida by a single bridge.

Forecasters warned once it hits the warm Gulf of Mexico waters, Rita could gain further strength and reach category three on the five-level Saffir-Simpson hurricane intensity scale.

Authorities warned people who had not evacuated Key West and the rest of the Florida Keys to remain indoors and hunker down until the storm has passed.

Forecasters said the Florida Keys could experience large and dangerous waves and storm surge of up to two metres.

- SAPA