/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/RZYTAT6T2VJWJIGSRRFXXG6CKA.jpg "Hurricane Otis pummels Mexico’s Acapulco, cutting off famous beach resort")
ACAPULCO, Mexico, Oct 25 (Reuters) – Hurricane Otis, one of the most powerful storms ever experienced on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, made landfall in the resort town of Acapulco early Wednesday morning. The hurricane caused significant damage to buildings and vital infrastructure, leaving the city without power and communication.
Footage shared on social media depicted the destruction caused by Otis, with hotels in ruins, ceilings and walls torn apart, shattered windows, and cars partially submerged in floodwaters. Debris was scattered throughout the city, and fallen trees could be seen in downtown Acapulco. The storm severed telecommunication lines and damaged infrastructure, isolating the residents from the outside world.
The local airport, serving nearly 900,000 people, has been closed indefinitely due to power loss and blocked roads caused by the hurricane. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador planned to visit Acapulco to offer support but faced road closures due to the storm, as seen in social media videos.
While there have been no immediate reports of fatalities, the power outages have hindered officials from fully assessing the extent of the destruction. Some officials privately expressed concerns about potential loss of life. Luisa Pena, a hotel guest in Acapulco, shared her terrifying experience on TikTok, hiding in a closet as the storm raged through her building and destroyed her room.
Hospital staff also took swift action, evacuating patients from their rooms to ensure their safety. Otis rapidly intensified at sea, transitioning into a Category 5 hurricane with wind speeds of 165 miles per hour (266 kph) upon landfall.
The Mexican government mobilized the military to assist with the cleanup efforts, but the main highway connecting Acapulco to Mexico City will remain partially closed until Thursday. Otis, initially expected to be a tropical storm, surprised authorities with its immense power. The storm follows the path of Hurricane Patricia, which struck the Pacific coast with winds of 200 miles per hour (322 kph) eight years ago.
The US National Hurricane Center issued warnings of heavy rains, the risk of deadly floods, and mudslides in southwestern and south-central Mexico until Thursday. Power outages affected hundreds of thousands in Guerrero, and flights to and from Acapulco were suspended, causing widespread disruptions. The airport suffered significant damage, including broken windows in the control tower.
As the aftermath of the storm unfolds, Mexican authorities are grappling with the impact of Hurricane Otis and its potential long-term consequences.