WIND SPEEDS REACH 165 MPH
CARIBBEAN SEA -- Only three Category 5 hurricanes have made landfall in the United States since the Saffir-Simpson scale was first used. The hurricane that devastated Galveston in 1900 is believed to have been a Category 4.
Galveston and its surrounding areas are under mandatory evacuation.
Of particular concern is the South Texas Project nuclear power plant, which is located only twelve miles inland. Officials are currently shutting down the facility, which provides electricity to over 1 million consumers.
Nearby are two reactor containment buildings which are able to withstand the impact of a Category 5 storm or a direct hit from a Boeing 767.
In New Orleans, Mayor Ray Nagin delayed the planned return of residents to the city and ordered those who had returned to evacuate - again.
Officials have said that the levees, already weakened by Katrina, will not be able to withstand another hurricane.
CNN, The Weather Channel, and Weatherbug were used as sources.
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