Hurricane Rita's effect on Oklahoma could be diminished

Wednesday, September 21st 2005, 10:30 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Hurricane Rita was expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to Oklahoma, but the National Weather Service reported Thursday that the storm may track away from the most populous areas of the state.

In a special weather statement, the weather service said the latest information suggests the hurricane may take a path that would bring it across northeast Texas and southeast Oklahoma, lessening the impact on central Oklahoma.

The storm would still be expected to move into the state Sunday, bringing 3 to 5 inches of rain and the possibility of some flooding across a drought-plagued section of Oklahoma east of Seminole, Ada and Durant.

Also, there was the possibility the storm could spawn tornadoes and pack sustained winds of 25 mph to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph.

Meanwhile, Gov. Brad Henry and Attorney General Drew Edmondson cautioned gas stations and other retailers across Oklahoma that the state would not tolerate price-gouging.

Oklahomas price-gouging law prohibits prices from jumping more than 10 percent above the price charged immediately before a disaster declaration, unless the spike is caused by non-emergency factors and does not result in a profit increase.

President Bush issued a disaster declaration for Oklahoma on Sept. 5 as evacuees from Hurricane Katrina came to the state.

"The State of Oklahoma will not abide people using the potential for disaster as an excuse to artificially spike prices at the pump," Henry said. "Predatory pricing is opposed to the core of Oklahoma values, and it will not be tolerated. Price-gouging will be met with the full force of the law."

Edmondson said the state has received almost 200 reports of unduly high gasoline prices, but he said none have risen to the level of gouging.

According to AAA Oklahoma, the average price of gasoline in Oklahoma early Thursday was $2.46, compared to $2.51 a month ago and $1.76 a year ago.