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Millions who fled Rita told to halt return
(AP)
Updated: 2005-09-25 11:54
Damage to the vital concentration of oil refineries along the coast appeared
relatively light, although industry officials said it was too early to assess
whether there would be an impact on oil prices. Valero Energy Corp. said its
255,000-barrel-per-day Port Arthur refinery sustained significant damage to two
cooling towers and a flare stack and would need at least two weeks for repairs.
Late Saturday, two environmental cleanup workers spread booms and
oil-absorbent pads along a perimeter fence at the refinery. Knee-deep
floodwaters were stained with dark brown crude oil, and the odor of petroleum
hung thick in the air.
Rita roared ashore at 3:30 a.m. EDT close to the
Texas-Louisiana border as a Category 3 hurricane with top winds of 120 mph and
warnings of up to 25 inches of rain. By mid-afternoon, it was downgraded to a
tropical storm with top sustained winds of 50 mph as it moved slowly through
east Texas toward Shreveport, La.
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