Devastation in Acapulco as Hurricane Otis Strikes with Record-Breaking Force
At least 27 people have tragically lost their lives and the picturesque city of Acapulco, Mexico lies in ruins after Hurricane Otis mercilessly struck the coast on Wednesday, leaving destruction in its wake. Adding to the despair, four individuals are currently missing and unaccounted for, as confirmed by Mexican Security Minister Rosa Icela Rodriguez during a news conference on Thursday.
Delayed by the damage they were destined to help evaluate and repair, officials and military aid finally reached Acapulco late Wednesday. However, what they encountered was beyond their wildest imaginations. Harrowing images and videos circulate, showcasing buildings ripped apart, including numerous towering structures. The relentless storm surge and rainfall have transformed roads into rivers, compelling individuals to navigate through murky waters up to their feet.
During a press conference Thursday, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador stated, “In all of Acapulco, there is not a standing electric pole.” He further elaborated that over 1,000 workers are presently dedicated to rebuilding the grid to restore water services in the area. According to the power utility CFE, more than 500,000 homes and businesses in Mexico’s Guerrero state were left without power. However, a significant portion, accounting for 40% of the affected, now have their services reinstated.
Renowned for its tourist appeal, approximately 80% of Acapulco’s hotels bear the brunt of Otis’ wrath, disclosed Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado. As a result, the governor’s office has taken measures to assist tourists, providing free evacuation services to other unaffected areas.
With early forecasts gravely underestimating the storm’s severity, officials and residents had limited time to prepare. Otis rapidly escalated from a tropical storm to a devastating Category 5 hurricane, shattering records with its sheer intensity, all within a mere 12-hour period. Once it made its way inland, Otis significantly weakened, finally dissipating over the southern Mexican mountains on Wednesday afternoon. However, the region continues to grapple with heavy rains, presenting risks of flash floods and landslides, as cautioned by the National Hurricane Center.
While the immediate threat gradually subsides, the arduous journey of recovery begins. A contingent of around 10,000 military personnel has been deployed to the Acapulco area to initiate and assist in the recovery efforts, as affirmed by authorities. The Mexican National Guard has diligently worked to clear stranded vehicles, fallen trees, and debris strewn across the disaster-stricken zone.
Due to the havoc wreaked by Hurricane Otis, the Acapulco International Airport has temporarily suspended its operations for restoration and rehabilitation. Pictures shared by Mexico’s Secretary of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation depict massive piles of debris scattered throughout the airport premises.
Scientists argue that Otis’ rapid intensification is symptomatic of the human-induced climate crisis. Such occurrences are increasingly becoming the norm. The criteria for rapid intensification entail a minimum 35 mph increase in wind speed within 24 hours, commonly due to substantial oceanic warming. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reveals that more than 90% of global warming over the past five decades occurred in the Earth’s oceans. In addition, El Niño is currently developing in the Pacific, exacerbating ocean temperatures.
Contributors to this report: Karol Suarez in Mexico City, Taylor Ward, Mary Gilbert, Ana Melgar, Claudia Rebaza, Abel Alvarado, and Rachel Ramirez.
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