Hurricane Otis, a rare Category 5 storm, made a devastating landfall on Mexico's Pacific Coast, specifically the beach resort of Acapulco. The storm caused widespread destruction, smashing buildings and essential infrastructure while leaving the city without communication and power. Videos shared on social media displayed the severe impact of Otis, with hotels and businesses in ruins, ceilings and walls torn apart, shattered windows, and partially submerged cars in floodwaters.
The aftermath of the hurricane revealed debris strewn across lobbies, patios, streets, and hotel balconies. Downtown Acapulco was filled with remnants of mangled trees. The storm knocked down telecommunication lines and inflicted damage on critical infrastructure, isolating residents from the outside world.
The city's airport, serving nearly 900,000 people, had to be closed indefinitely due to power loss and blocked nearby roads caused by the hurricane. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador embarked on a journey to Acapulco to provide support, but he encountered road closures due to the storm's impact, delaying his arrival.
As of now, there are no immediate reports of fatalities, but the extensive power outages have made it challenging for officials to assess the full extent of the destruction. Some officials privately expressed concerns that Hurricane Otis might have resulted in loss of life.
Luisa Pena, a hotel guest in Acapulco, described her terrifying experience as she hid in a closet during the storm's eye. She prayed for her safety as she faced panic, recounting the destruction the hurricane caused to her room.
Footage from a hospital revealed nurses evacuating patients from their rooms to shield them from the storm's fury. Otis unexpectedly gained strength at sea, arriving at the coast with wind speeds of 165 miles per hour (266 kph) as a Category 4 hurricane after initially reaching land as a Category 5.
The primary highway connecting Acapulco to Mexico City wouldn't be fully operational until Thursday, as per the government, which mobilized the military to assist in the cleanup.
Otis, though initially expected to be a tropical storm, shocked Mexican authorities with its rapid intensification. It came ashore nearly eight years after Hurricane Patricia, which had winds of 200 miles per hour (322 kph).
The US National Hurricane Center issued warnings about heavy rains in southwestern and south-central Mexico through Thursday. The area faces an ongoing risk of life-threatening flooding, mudslides, and hazardous surf and rip current conditions.
The storm led to widespread power outages, impacting hundreds of thousands of people. Flights to and from Acapulco were suspended, and school classes were canceled. The airport itself sustained significant damage, including the destruction of the control tower's windows.
Â
