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Rita turns toward New Orleans

A new danger ... the latest satellite image showing Hurricane Rita over the Florida keys>/i> / AFP


RESIDENTS are being evacuated from New Orleans again as Hurricane Rita tears across Florida on a track that could take it close to the devastated city. - -

A state of emergency has been declared in parts of Louisiana as Rita, which has strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane, pounds the Florida Keys. Forecasters have said it could strengthen to a destructive Category 4 storm.

Rita is expected to follow a course into the oil-rich Gulf of Mexico and may cause further disruption to petroleum production in the area. Many oil rigs have already been abandoned.

Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco said: "I have put the state on alert. We've declared another emergency ... for southwest Louisiana.

"We're urging people to evacuate." READ MUCH MORE