Acapulco, Mexico Devastated by Looting Following Hurricane Otis

By Alexandre Meneghini and Josue Decavele

ACAPULCO, Mexico – The Mexican city of Acapulco has been devastated by looting following the impact of Hurricane Otis, a record-breaking storm that has claimed at least 27 lives and left thousands of residents in desperate need of food and water.

Hurricane Otis struck Acapulco with winds reaching 165 miles per hour, causing extensive flooding, ripping roofs off buildings, and submerging vehicles while disrupting communication and transportation networks. The damage is estimated to run into billions of dollars, prompting the deployment of over 8,000 military personnel to assist in recovery efforts.

"As of now, money is useless because there is nothing to purchase; everything has been looted," stated 57-year-old resident Rodolfo Villagomez after the storm ravaged the area. He described the scene as chaotic, with sounds reminiscent of a bull hissing.

On Thursday evening, many were seen carrying off essentials such as food, water, and toilet paper from damaged stores. "We came to get food because we have none," one woman explained.

Footage showed individuals removing boxes from a severely damaged supermarket and loading them into vehicles, while shelves inside were virtually empty.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador acknowledged that there were incidents of looting due to the emergency, urging residents not to take advantage of the situation. Outside, debris was scattered among ruined patio furniture and twisted trees surrounding destroyed homes.

During a press conference, Lopez Obrador promised support for the nearly 900,000 residents of Acapulco in the impoverished southern state of Guerrero, although many locals asserted that assistance was lacking.

"All the stores are either closed or in ruins," lamented 76-year-old Raul Busto Ramirez, an engineer at Acapulco’s airport. He attributed the looting to shortages of supplies and noted that ATM machines were down, leaving many without cash.

Limited information regarding casualties has been released, with officials only confirming that four individuals are missing, raising concerns that the death toll may rise.

Letitia Murphy expressed her anxiety after losing contact with her ex-husband, Neil Marshall, a 59-year-old Briton who was in Acapulco when the storm struck. She shared the heartbreaking news of his death, discovered by locals near his residence, which she learned about through social media. "We can’t even get information about him. It’s horrible that we don’t know what to do," she said.

Another potentially severe weather system is predicted to develop off Central America, likely bringing additional heavy rainfall to southern Mexico.

Authorities reported Otis as the most powerful storm to ever hit Mexico’s Pacific coast. The storm surprised forecasters by rapidly intensifying before making landfall, surpassing initial expectations.

Despite the extensive material damage, Lopez Obrador remarked, "We were lucky," expressing gratitude that there had not been more casualties amid the hurricane’s fury.

To facilitate the evacuation of tourists, plans for an airlift between Acapulco and Mexico City were underway after the city’s airport reopened. Though an official cost estimate for Otis has yet to be determined, some experts predict it could reach approximately $15 billion. The president has called on insurance companies to expedite claim payments.

Messages of support have poured in from various governments, with expressions of condolences coming from figures such as Pope Francis and U.S. President Joe Biden, who pledged full support for Mexico’s recovery efforts.

Officials from the Mexican power utility reported a restoration of around 50% of electricity service in Guerrero, while a telecommunications company has reinstated nearly 60% of cellular service.

In Acapulco, Canadian resident Jeff, 65, shared his fears about the coming days, stating, "All the stores have been pillaged." He described the situation as "unbelievable," with people desperately trying to salvage supplies to survive in the aftermath of the disaster.