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ACAPULCO, Mexico, Oct 27 (Reuters) – The picturesque beach resort city of Acapulco has fallen victim to widespread looting following the destruction caused by Hurricane Otis. This historic storm, which claimed the lives of at least 27 individuals, has left thousands of residents desperate for basic necessities such as food and water.

Hurricane Otis made landfall in Acapulco with winds reaching an astounding 165 miles per hour (266 km per hour), causing extensive flooding, demolishing homes, stores, and hotels, submerging vehicles, and severing communication and transportation links. The estimated cost of the devastation caused by this Category 5 storm is in the billions of dollars, prompting the deployment of over 8,000 armed forces personnel to aid in the city’s recovery.

“Money means nothing to us now because there’s nothing left to buy, everything has been looted,” lamented 57-year-old Rodolfo Villagomez, an Acapulco resident. He described the scene as total chaos, with the sound of fierce winds wreaking havoc resembling that of a raging bull.

In the aftermath of the hurricane, looting incidents occurred as people searched for essential supplies. Reuters captured footage of individuals carrying off boxes of food, water, and other necessities from damaged stores. Shelves lay bare, revealing the desperation felt by the local population.

Responding to the looting, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador acknowledged the emergency situation but urged the residents not to take advantage of the chaos. He promised government assistance to the nearly 900,000 residents of Guerrero, the poorest state in Mexico and Acapulco’s location, during this trying time.

Despite this assurance, many residents expressed dissatisfaction with the level of aid provided. Raul Busto Ramirez, a 76-year-old engineer working at Acapulco’s airport, highlighted the closures and destruction of stores, leading to shortages, along with non-functioning ATM machines that left people without access to cash.

The government has yet to release detailed information on the deceased and injured, but officials privately fear that the death toll may rise. The situation has become personal for Letitia Murphy, who lost contact with her ex-husband, Neil Marshall, a British citizen staying in Acapulco during Hurricane Otis. It was through social media that Murphy learned of her ex-husband’s demise, as residents discovered his body near his temporary residence.

Efforts in the Aftermath

Efforts to restore normalcy are underway, with an air bridge between Acapulco and Mexico City being established to facilitate the evacuation of tourists. The Mexican and British governments have yet to provide official comments on the situation.

Meanwhile, weather forecasts indicate the possibility of another weather front generating heavy rainfall in Central America, which could move towards southern Mexico, compounding the challenges faced by the region.

The Mexican authorities labeled Hurricane Otis as the most powerful storm ever recorded on Mexico’s Pacific coast. Despite the unexpected strength and speed with which it struck, President Lopez Obrador expressed gratitude, attributing their relatively low death toll to nature’s protection.

The financial toll of Hurricane Otis remains uncertain, but Enki Research, a tropical storm tracking and damage modeling company, estimates the cost to approach $15 billion. Insurance companies are being urged to expedite payouts, and international governments, including the United States and the Vatican, have offered their condolences and support.

Efforts to restore essential services are underway, with the state power utility, CFE, reporting that 50% of the electricity service in Guerrero has been restored. Telecommunications company America Movil has also re-established nearly 60% of cell services. However, the situation on the ground remains dire for many individuals.

A Canadian tourist named Jeff expressed concern about his ability to survive in Acapulco, as all stores have been pillaged. He described the scene as an unfathomable disaster, where people are scavenging for anything they can find in order to make it through the next few weeks or months.

Reporting by Alexandre Meneghini, Jose Cortes, Quetzalli Nicte-ha in Acapulco; Diego Ore and Kylie Madry in Mexico City, Laura Gottesdiener in Monterrey and Natalia Siniawski in Gdansk; Writing by Dave Graham; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Bill Berkrot, Sandra Maler and Raju Gopalakrishnan

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