HURRICANE OTIS HITS MEXICO’S COAST, BRINGING POTENTIAL DEVASTATION TO ACAPULCO
ACAPULCO, Mexico, Oct 25 (Reuters) – On Wednesday, Hurricane Otis made landfall on Mexico’s southern coast, with powerful hurricane winds from the now Category 4 storm sweeping inland over the popular beach resorts of Acapulco. According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC), the hurricane has caused significant damage and is expected to bring heavy rainfall and flash flooding as it moves further into Southern Mexico.
Previously categorized as a Category 5 storm, Hurricane Otis reached land near Acapulco and has now been downgraded to Category 4. The latest NHC advisory warns of the potential for “potentially catastrophic” storm surge, “life-threatening” surf, and rip current conditions. Additionally, authorities have issued warnings of up to 20 inches (51 cm) of rain in parts of Guerrero and Oaxaca states, which could result in flash floods and mudslides.
Mexico’s national water agency CONAGUA has also cautioned about a six-to-eight-meter surf off Guerrero, which is home to Acapulco. Meanwhile, the Miami-based NHC reports that Hurricane Otis is currently about 25 miles North-Northwest of Acapulco, with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph (215 kph).
In anticipation of the storm’s arrival, authorities in Guerrero have been preparing storm shelters, and the national guard has been mobilized to assist with rescues and evacuations. Mexico’s National Civil Protection Coordination (CNPC) has reported power outages throughout Guerrero as a result of the hurricane.
President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced on social media that the defense ministry had enacted a disaster plan ahead of Hurricane Otis. As soldiers patrolled the beaches of Acapulco, which have been evacuated, the government is taking proactive measures to ensure the safety of its citizens.
Governor Evelyn Salgado also shared on social media that schools across Guerrero have canceled classes for Wednesday in anticipation of the hurricane’s arrival.
Reporting from Acapulco, Javier Verdin, and Brendan O’Boyle from Mexico City have been closely following the situation. The article was written by Brendan O’Boyle and Natalia Siniawski, with contributions from Robert Birsel, Bernadette Baum, and Jan Harvey in the editing process.
The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles guide the reporting and credibility standards of Reuters.
The impact of Hurricane Otis on Acapulco and the surrounding areas is expected to be severe. Authorities and residents are urged to take all necessary precautions to ensure safety and minimize damage.