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.