Hurricane Otis kills at least 27, hammers Acapulco as damage seen in billions

Hurricane Otis has tragically resulted in the loss of at least 27 lives, as confirmed by Mexico's government on Thursday. The powerful storm, classified as a Category 5 hurricane, made landfall in Mexico, severely impacting the beach resort of Acapulco and causing extensive damage estimated to run into billions of dollars.

The aftermath of Hurricane Otis includes flooded streets, homes and hotels with roofs torn off, submerged cars, and disruptions to communications, roads, and air access. Acapulco, a city with a population of nearly 900,000, bears the brunt of this destructive storm, leaving behind a trail of devastation.

The government has reported that four individuals remain missing in the aftermath of Hurricane Otis.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, in a press conference in Mexico City, described the impact of Hurricane Otis on Acapulco as "really disastrous." The storm, with winds reaching 165 miles per hour (266 kph), caused extensive damage in southern Mexico.

Otis, intensifying unexpectedly off the Pacific coast, exhibited such force that it uprooted large trees, scattering debris across Acapulco. Hospitals were flooded, necessitating the evacuation of hundreds of patients to safer locations.

A state of emergency was declared in the region, but the government has provided limited information about the circumstances of the 27 reported deaths or the number of injuries.

Erik Lozoya, a professional magician, shared his harrowing experience, enduring "three hours of terror" with his wife and two baby daughters in an Acapulco hotel room. The hurricane shattered windows and swept through the building with a deafening intensity.

Erik Lozoya, a 26-year-old resident, vividly described the terrifying experience during Hurricane Otis, stating, "It literally felt as though our ears were going to explode." Lozoya and his family, along with four others, sought refuge in a bathroom, witnessing the destructive force of the storm with flying mattresses and water tanks, as the ceiling began to collapse.

Despite initially leaving the bathroom, the family's eighth-floor room eventually flooded. Lozoya, carrying his daughters, had to stand in ankle-deep water for two hours, unable to open the door due to the intense wind.

The hurricane caused severe damage to buildings in downtown Acapulco, with reports of looting circulating in some media. The government has not provided a cost estimate for the aftermath of Hurricane Otis, but Enki Research, specializing in tracking tropical storms and estimating damage costs, projects it to be "likely approaching $15 billion."

The individuals still missing are believed to be members of the navy, according to President Lopez Obrador. He personally traveled to Acapulco, facing road challenges and vehicle changes due to storm-related disruptions.

On a positive note, the government announced the reopening of the air traffic control tower at Acapulco's international airport and the operation of an air bridge allowing tourists to reach Mexico City from Friday.

SHOCKING POWER

Mexican authorities declared Hurricane Otis as the most powerful storm to hit the country's Pacific coast, surpassing even Hurricane Patricia's wind speeds, although Patricia had higher speeds out at sea when it struck Puerto Vallarta eight years earlier.

Approximately 8,400 members of Mexico's army, air force, and national guard were mobilized in and around Acapulco for cleanup efforts, as confirmed by the defense ministry.

The destruction caused by Otis raises concerns about the impact of climate change, with scientists predicting more frequent extreme weather events. Acapulco, a key city in the impoverished state of Guerrero, heavily relies on tourism. Otis inflicted significant damage to some of the city's prominent shoreline hotels.

Governor Evelyn Salgado labeled the storm as "totally devastating," noting that 80% of the city's hotels were affected. Restoration efforts, including electricity and water supply reactivation, were underway.

School classes in Guerrero were canceled for a second day, and opposition politicians criticized the government's perceived lack of preparedness.

Residents, including magician Erik Lozoya, reported minimal advance notice from the hotels about the approaching hurricane, receiving alerts only 1-1/2 hours before Otis made landfall. In contrast, President Lopez Obrador issued a warning about two hours earlier on social media.

State power utility CFE and telecommunications firm Telmex worked on restoring power and network services, respectively, with progress reported but challenges remaining, especially in the gradual restoration of local cell phone services.