Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is not provided in the options. Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita are similar in terms of their impact on the Gulf Coast region of the United States. Both hurricanes struck the Gulf Coast in 2005 and caused significant devastation.
A. They began as small storms over the Atlantic Ocean: This statement is not accurate for both hurricanes. Hurricane Katrina originated as a tropical depression over the Bahamas and strengthened as it moved into the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane Rita formed as a tropical depression near the Bahamas and intensified as it moved westward across the Gulf of Mexico.
B. They caused major damage to the Texas coast: This statement is partially correct. While Hurricane Rita did cause significant damage to the Texas coast, it primarily affected the southwestern part of the state, including the city of Beaumont and surrounding areas. Hurricane Katrina, on the other hand, made landfall in Louisiana and caused catastrophic damage in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi.
C. They had wind speeds of 140 mph: This statement is not accurate for both hurricanes. Hurricane Katrina reached its peak intensity with sustained winds of 175 mph, while Hurricane Rita reached its peak intensity with sustained winds of 180 mph.
D. They caused the biggest evacuations in United States history: This statement is partially correct. Hurricane Katrina did result in one of the largest evacuations in U.S. history, with over a million people leaving the affected areas. However, Hurricane Rita's evacuation was also significant, particularly in the Houston metropolitan area, where millions of people were urged to evacuate.