Hurricane Rita was a powerful tropical cyclone that formed in September 2005. It became the fourth-most intense hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic, reaching Category 5 status with winds of up to 180 mph. Rita made landfall on the Texas coast near Sabine Pass on September 24, causing significant damage and flooding in the region. The storm affected millions of people, leading to one of the largest evacuations in U.S. history. In total, Hurricane Rita caused over $12 billion in damages and resulted in at least 120 fatalities. Its impact highlighted the importance of preparedness for severe weather events.