SAN ANTONIO -- San Antonio city officials say they're prepared to welcome residents displaced by Hurricane Rita, which reached Category 4 status Wednesday morning.

The city is already housing about 3,000 Hurricane Katrina evacuees, but Mayor Phil Hardberger says it can handle another influx of evacuees, if needed.

"We'll probably use the shelters we have first, but if they fill up, the Red Cross has a great many more in reserve," said Hardberger.

Hardberger said city leaders have learned from Katrina not to take any chances when it comes to preparing for Rita.

"When you take the experts that we already have here, plus our own expertise in this, I do feel confident that San Antonio will be able to take care and do a good job with the evacuees," he said.