Hurricane Otis Makes Landfall in Southern Mexico, Causing Catastrophic Damage
Early Wednesday morning, Hurricane Otis struck the Pacific coast of southern Mexico as a dangerous Category 5 storm. The National Hurricane Center issued warnings of “catastrophic damage” in the area around Acapulco. Videos shared online showed strong wind and heavy rain battering the popular beach resort city as the storm made landfall.
Mexico’s national civil protection agency took to Twitter to inform residents that parts of Guerrero state were already experiencing power cuts as the storm approached. They urged people in the area to remain calm and seek shelter until authorities confirmed that the danger had passed. The agency advised residents to stay away from windows, disconnect electrical devices, avoid contact with water and metallic objects, and follow updates from official sources.
Otis rapidly strengthened from a tropical storm to a major hurricane within just 12 hours before making landfall at 1:25 a.m. Eastern time. With maximum sustained winds of 165 mph, the storm brought hurricane-force winds that extended up to 30 miles from its center. The hurricane center warned of “extremely destructive winds near the core” as the eye of the storm moved onshore.
The storm is predicted to bring significant rainfall ranging from 8 to 20 inches across the Mexican states of Guerrero and Oaxaca until Thursday. The hurricane center also warned of “life-threatening coastal flooding.” Powerful gusts from Otis pose a risk to the upper floors of high-rise buildings.
A major hurricane is classified as Category 3 or above on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale due to the potential for significant loss of life and damage. A hurricane warning was in effect from Punta Maldonado west to Zihuatanejo.
In response to the approaching storm, Mexico’s army and navy deployed more than 8,000 troops to Guerrero, an impoverished state plagued by organized crime-related violence. These troops arrived with specialized equipment to aid in potential rescues.
Authorities closed Acapulco’s port, where approximately 300 fishing boats are docked. The beach city, which boasts a population of about one million and is a popular tourist destination, faced maximum alert conditions. Acapulco’s Mayor Abelina López urged residents to either stay home or seek safety in one of the city’s shelters.
Meteorologists predict that Otis will weaken after making landfall, and the hurricane center stated that it would “likely dissipate over southern Mexico” by Wednesday night.
Sources:
– National Hurricane Center – Twitter
– Mexico’s national civil protection agency – Twitter
– NOAA/National Weather Service
– AP News
– The Weather Channel