Images: Rita strikes Gulf Coast

At 7 a.m. CDT on Sept. 24, Hurricane Rita was causing damage to eastern Texas and southeastern Louisiana. The storm is weakening after hitting land with winds still around 100mph and higher gusts.

Coastal flooding of 15 to 20 feet above tide level is expected along with dangerous battering waves where the center mades landfall.

Photo by NESDIS Satellite Services Division (NOAA)