Hurricane Otis made a devastating impact as a Category 4 storm, striking the popular Mexican beach destination of Acapulco and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The powerful hurricane brought torrential rain and fierce winds, causing widespread damage to hotels and other structures and prompting tourists to seek shelter from the onslaught.
Distressing videos circulating on social media depicted the aftermath of the hurricane, revealing ravaged rooms, collapsed ceilings, and partially submerged vehicles in floodwaters. In the state of Guerrero, power outages were reported, and flights to and from Acapulco were suspended while classes were canceled due to the severe impact of Hurricane Otis.
As of early morning, Otis had weakened slightly, but it was still generating winds of 110 miles per hour as it moved inland, approximately 60 miles (100 km) north-northwest of Acapulco, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC). The storm was downgraded from a Category 5, but it continued to pose a significant threat, bringing heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and hurricane-force winds to various regions in southern Mexico.
Authorities cautioned that the storm could unleash up to 20 inches (51 cm) of rain in parts of Guerrero and Oaxaca states, leading to potential mudslides, a dangerous storm surge, and life-threatening surf and rip currents. Mexico’s national water agency CONAGUA issued a warning about massive surf heights of six to eight meters off the coasts of Guerrero and Oaxaca.
In anticipation of the hurricane’s impact, storm shelters were opened in Guerrero, and the National Guard stood prepared for rescue operations and evacuations. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced that the Defense Ministry had activated a disaster plan, with soldiers patrolling the deserted beaches of Acapulco as the region grappled with the aftermath of the destructive Hurricane Otis. Source thedailycourierng news