Hurricane Otis posed the threat of delivering up to 20 inches (51 cm) of rainfall in regions of Guerrero and Oaxaca states, as well as the risk of mudslides, a potentially catastrophic storm surge.
Hurricane Otis struck the Mexican beach resort of Acapulco as a Category 4 storm in the early hours of Wednesday, causing extensive damage to hotels and forcing tourists to seek shelter from the torrential rain and strong winds lashing the southern Pacific coast.
Social media videos depicted the aftermath of the hurricane, revealing rooms in disarray, with ceilings and walls torn open. Additionally, floodwaters partially submerged cars in the state of Guerrero as the region grappled with the destruction left behind by Otis.
Guerrero experienced widespread power outages, and flights to and from Acapulco were suspended. Classes were canceled as Otis, one of the most potent storms to hit Mexico’s Pacific Coast, wreaked havoc.
Kremlin Denies Reports of Putin’s Cardiac Arrest and Body Double Speculation
By 0600 local time (1200 GMT), Otis was situated 60 miles (100 km) north-northwest of Acapulco. It had weakened considerably as it moved inland, but the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported sustained winds of 110 miles per hour.
The hurricane had been downgraded from Category 5 earlier in the day and was projected to dissipate within the next 24 hours. In the meantime, it continued to bring heavy rainfall and flash flooding, coupled with hurricane-force winds, to substantial parts of southern Mexico.
Hurricane Otis posed the threat of delivering up to 20 inches (51 cm) of rainfall in regions of Guerrero and Oaxaca states, as well as the risk of mudslides, a potentially catastrophic storm surge, and life-threatening surf and rip current conditions, as per authorities’ warnings.
China’s Leadership Shake-Up: Li Shangfu and Qin Gang Ousted Amidst Speculation
CONAGUA, Mexico’s national water agency, issued alerts about a six-to-eight-meter surf off Guerrero and certain parts of Oaxaca.
In response to the impending disaster, authorities in Guerrero opened storm shelters, and the National Guard was prepared for rescue operations and evacuations.
The Defense Ministry had initiated a disaster plan in anticipation of the storm’s arrival, as President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador revealed, with soldiers patrolling the deserted beaches of Acapulco on Tuesday night.