2023-10-26 10:39:04
Hurricane Otis has wreaked havoc in the Mexican resort of Acapulco, cutting the region off from the rest of the country. President Manuel López Obrador said at a press conference on Wednesday (local time) that there was “property damage and blocked roads.” The highway to Acapulco was damaged by landslides. No fatalities were initially known.
Since communication was interrupted, it is still difficult to determine the extent of the damage. The government is working to restore communications, López said. Since it was not possible to fly to the region, a convoy with relief supplies was on the way.
Earthquake warning system damaged
The early warning system for earthquakes on Mexico’s Pacific coast was damaged by the hurricane. The operator announced on Wednesday that communication with at least 27 of the approximately 100 sensors in the seismic observation network was interrupted. If a strong earthquake occurs near the damaged sensors, the population cannot be warned in time. Although engineers are available to carry out repairs, important transport routes in the region have been interrupted as a result of the storm.
“Otis” made landfall on the Pacific coast as an extremely dangerous category five storm with wind speeds of up to 270 kilometers per hour, where it quickly weakened to a category one storm. The US Hurricane Center (NHC) had warned of “catastrophic damage” in the affected coastal areas.
By morning, much of Acapulco was without power. Videos posted on online services showed damaged buildings, broken windows and vacationers holed up in their hotel rooms or seeking shelter from the storm in bathrooms.
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On Tuesday evening, the Mexican president called on social media for people to go to emergency shelters and stay away from rivers, streams and ravines. More than 500 emergency shelters had been provided.
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