Dozens dead after Hurricane Otis rips through parts of Mexico
Mexican authorities say dozens have been killed following Hurricane Otis’ landfall. Thousands have been stranded without power and clean water.
Joseph Namlick found himself in an unexpected situation when Hurricane Otis struck Mexico. Traveling from South Carolina for a mining convention in Acapulco, Namlick and other visitors were trapped in their hotels as the powerful storm pounded the coastal city. Now, safely in Mexico City, they are finally finding their way back home.
Hurricane Otis made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane, leaving 27 people dead as of Thursday afternoon. The storm’s rapid intensification caught many off guard, with its wind speeds becoming significantly stronger in just 12 hours. Videos circulating on social media depict the devastation caused by the hurricane, including roofs being torn off and flooded streets.
Namlick, a construction manager, spoke about his experience during the storm. Despite being told it would only be a minor storm, he found himself, along with other convention attendees, trapped inside the convention center overnight.
Fortunately, Namlick was able to make it back to his hotel room, where he sought shelter in the bathroom. The storm’s force was strong enough to blow in the sliding doors of a nearby room, leading to an evacuation. With chairs holding his balcony shutters, Namlick attempted to get some sleep amidst the chaos.
The following morning, Namlick and his colleagues made their way to a nearby supermarket, where they waited for hours to receive supplies. With the easing of the weather, buses arrived to transport them to Mexico City, where they could continue their trip as planned.
Contributing: The Associated Press
