Rita

Sept. 20: A sign in Galveston, Texas sends a message as Hurricane Rita moves across the Florida Keys.

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- Authorities in Texas and along the storm-shattered coast of Louisiana braced Wednesday for Hurricane Rita, as the powerful Category 4 storm picked up strength in the Gulf of Mexico.

The warm Gulf waters were fueling the storm, which has maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (225 kph).

The latest extended forecast from the National Hurricane Center predicted that Rita would likely make landfall Saturday somewhere on the Texas Gulf coast, but said it could hit Louisiana or northern Mexico.

...Houston Mayor Bill White Wednesday called on residents in areas at risk for storm surge and those living in mobile homes to "begin making their evacuation plans."

White also asked residents to help move citizens who cannot evacuate themselves.

Residents were also preparing to leave Galveston, a barrier-island city of 60,000 that was flattened by a hurricane in 1900.

About 80 city buses will be at the city's Island Community Center Wednesday morning to evacuate Galveston residents who do not have transportation.

Many people lined up to make sure they had a ride, all carrying the one bag of belongings they were allowed.

Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas declared a state of emergency Tuesday night and ordered a mandatory evacuation.

Residents of nursing homes and similar facilities were being moved out first, and the rest of the city was going to be evacuated in phases. Galveston schools were closed.

Rita is expected to strengthen to a Category 5 storm.

It's Wednesday. Rita should make landfall on Saturday. It's time to get out now.

Our tax dollars should not be spent rescuing anyone who fails to heed these warnings. Individuals planning to ride out the storm should be on their own.

It's called PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY!