Hurricane Otis Claims At Least 27 Lives and Devastates Acapulco, Causing Billions in Damages – Reuters

By Henry Romero and Diego Oré

ACAPULCO, Mexico – Hurricane Otis has resulted in the deaths of at least 27 individuals, according to the Mexican government. The storm, one of the strongest to hit the country, devastated the beach resort of Acapulco, resulting in damages that could reach billions of dollars.

Otis made landfall as a Category 5 storm on Wednesday, unleashing winds up to 165 miles per hour (266 kph). The hurricane caused severe flooding, tore roofs off buildings, submerged vehicles, and disrupted communication and transportation, leaving a path of destruction across Acapulco, home to nearly 900,000 residents. Four individuals are reported missing.

"What Acapulco suffered was truly catastrophic," President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador stated during a press conference in Mexico City, assessing the aftermath of the powerful storm.

The hurricane intensified unexpectedly along the Pacific coast, uprooting large trees and scattering debris throughout Acapulco. Hospitals experienced flooding, necessitating the evacuation of hundreds of patients to safer locations.

A state of emergency has been declared in the region, though details regarding the circumstances of the 27 deaths and the number of injured remain sparse.

Professional magician Erik Lozoya described a harrowing experience as he sheltered with his wife and daughters during the storm. "It felt as though our ears were going to explode," the 26-year-old recounted, as they barricaded themselves in a bathroom while debris flew around them. As the waters rose in their eighth-floor hotel room, Lozoya had to carry his daughters through the flooding for two hours, unable to open the door due to the intense wind.

Damage in downtown Acapulco was severe, with sections of buildings torn off. Reports of looting have emerged, although the authenticity of these claims has yet to be confirmed.

While the government has not provided an estimated cost of the damages, analysts from Enki Research predict losses could approach $15 billion.

The four missing individuals are believed to be members of the navy, as stated by Lopez Obrador, who traveled to Acapulco on Wednesday, facing numerous interruptions due to the storm.

By Thursday afternoon, officials announced that the air traffic control tower at Acapulco’s international airport was operational again, with plans to establish an air bridge allowing tourists to travel to Mexico City beginning Friday.

Officials have recognized Otis as the strongest storm to strike Mexico’s Pacific coast, even though Hurricane Patricia had higher wind speeds offshore in 2015. Nearly 8,400 personnel from Mexico’s military have been deployed to assist in recovery efforts.

The devastation caused by Otis has intensified worries about climate change contributing to the frequency of extreme weather events. Acapulco, the largest city in Guerrero—one of Mexico’s poorest states—relies heavily on tourism, and the storm has inflicted significant damage to several iconic hotels along the coastline.

Governor Evelyn Salgado described the situation as "totally devastating," reporting that approximately 80% of the city’s hotels suffered damage, and efforts to restore electricity and activate drinking water pumps were underway.

Classes have been canceled for a second day in Guerrero, as opposition politicians criticize the government’s preparedness for the disaster.

Lozoya indicated that he and his family received a warning from the hotel about the hurricane only shortly before it made landfall. In contrast, Lopez Obrador had issued a warning on social media approximately two hours earlier.

As of Wednesday evening, over 1,300 employees from the state electricity utility were working to restore power, with approximately 300,000 residents still affected. A telecommunications firm also reported that its network had been restored by Thursday morning, although local cell service remained unstable.