Rita upgraded to a category one hurricane

As of this morning.

She is expected to strengthen while churning in the Gulf, turning into a Cat. 2 or possibly even 3. Here’s the latest projected path. If that holds, she’ll touch La. but Texas will feel the brunt of the damage.

Batten down the hatches, my friends in TX. It looks like it’s going to be a nightmare for you, and yet another nightmare for the La. evacuees who are staying in your fine state.

In the meantime, Mayor Nagin has called for an evacuation of New Orleans. It wasn’t clear from the article but it sounds like it was a call for a mandatory evacuation.

2 PM ET Update: Rita is now a category 2 hurricane.