Over a 100 people are dead or missing since hurricane otis, hit the mexican resort city of acapulco last week, the category 5 hurricane left a trail of destruction.

Over 100 dead by Hurricane Otis in Mexico

<p>Mexico on Sunday (October 29) stepped up efforts to help residents of Acapulco after the city was hit by Hurricane Otis earlier in the week. The record-breaking Category 5 storm ravaged the iconic beach resort. The death toll continues to rise. The government figures say that 48 people have been killed, while six are missing, as quoted by Reuters. Just a day earlier the death toll was at 39.</p>

<p>The hurricane ripped through Acapulco, destroying homes, hotels and businesses with winds gusting up to 165 mph (266 kph). It also downed power lines and communications, leaving most of city's 900,000 inhabitants without means of communication.</p>

<p>In light of scarcity of food, water and fuel, looting has broken out in the city.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Hurricane Otis batters Mexico's Acapulco</strong></p>

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<p>Reuters said that governor of the state where Acapulco is located said 36 people were unaccounted for.</p>

<p>Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has said the majority of his cabinet ministers were either already in or travelling to&nbsp;Acapulco. He added that he himself would return to the city later in the day in order to lead recovery efforts. Thousands of soldiers and police personnel have already been deployed in the city to help people.</p>

<p>"We're going to get Acapulco back on its feet, starting with its people," he said in a video on social media.</p>

<p>The bay was filled with debris of dozens of pieces of broken boats. Smashed&nbsp;yachts and dinghies could be seen piled up on the shore.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-after-hammering-from-hurricane-otis-acapulco-ravaged-by-looting-652376">Mexico: After hammering from Hurricane Otis, Acapulco ravaged by looting</a></strong></p>

<p>Captain Alejandro Cortez, 66, abandoned his yacht when he saw the hurricane picking up speed.</p>

<p>"We ran, we jumped down, and we left the ship all alone," he recounted from a pier where he gazed at the water, remembering seeing waves seven metres high.</p>

<p>"And that's why I'm sitting here now. God gave me that decision," he added, pointing upward. "Some fellow workers turned up alive, but the search is ongoing for others," he said.</p>

<p>"There are many people that still haven't been found."</p>

<p>Cortez was quoted by Reuters.</p>

<p>Estimates suggest that cost of the damage from the hurricane is as high as USD 15 billion.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Residents in flooded areas have criticised the lack of government help. Many are struggling to find food and water.</p>

<h2><strong>The political cyclone</strong></h2>

<p>The devastation from the hurricane has come just seven months before Mexico's presidential election. This makes Hurricane Otis likely to feature in political slugfest. Lopez Obrador has accused his critics of attacking him over Hurricane Otis just to score political points.</p>

<p>Former President Felipe Calderon, Obrador's political opponent, has alleged that the Obrador administration tried to exploit the dire condition by "rebranding" boxes of aid that came from private donors.</p>

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Mexico on Sunday (October 29) stepped up efforts to help residents of Acapulco after the city was hit by Hurricane Otis earlier in the week. The record-breaking Category 5 storm ravaged the iconic beach resort.

Mexico on Sunday (October 29) stepped up efforts to help residents of Acapulco after the city was hit by Hurricane Otis earlier in the week. The record-breaking Category 5 storm ravaged the iconic beach resort. The death toll continues to rise. The government figures say that 48 people have been killed, while six are missing, as quoted by Reuters. Just a day earlier the death toll was at 39. The hurricane ripped through Acapulco, destroying homes, hotels and businesses with winds gusting up to 165 mph (266 kph). It also downed power lines and communications, leaving most of city's 900,000 inhabitants without means of communication. In light of scarcity of food, water and fuel, looting has broken out in the city. Watch | Hurricane Otis batters Mexico's Acapulco × Reuters said that governor of the state where Acapulco is located said 36 people were unaccounted for. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has said the majority of his cabinet ministers were either already in or travelling to Acapulco. He added that he himself would return to the city later in the day in order to lead recovery efforts. Thousands of soldiers and police personnel have already been deployed in the city to help people. "We're going to get Acapulco back on its feet, starting with its people," he said in a video on social media. The bay was filled with debris of dozens of pieces of broken boats. Smashed yachts and dinghies could be seen piled up on the shore. Also Read | Mexico: After hammering from Hurricane Otis, Acapulco ravaged by looting Captain Alejandro Cortez, 66, abandoned his yacht when he saw the hurricane picking up speed. "We ran, we jumped down, and we left the ship all alone," he recounted from a pier where he gazed at the water, remembering seeing waves seven metres high. "And that's why I'm sitting here now. God gave me that decision," he added, pointing upward. "Some fellow workers turned up alive, but the search is ongoing for others," he said. "There are many people that still haven't been found." Cortez was quoted by Reuters. Estimates suggest that cost of the damage from the hurricane is as high as USD 15 billion. Residents in flooded areas have criticised the lack of government help. Many are struggling to find food and water. The political cyclone The devastation from the hurricane has come just seven months before Mexico's presidential election. This makes Hurricane Otis likely to feature in political slugfest. Lopez Obrador has accused his critics of attacking him over Hurricane Otis just to score political points. Former President Felipe Calderon, Obrador's political opponent, has alleged that the Obrador administration tried to exploit the dire condition by "rebranding" boxes of aid that came from private donors. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Mexico steps up efforts in Acapulco as Hurricane death toll increases

<p>Acapulco was struggling Saturday to recover from the extraordinarily powerful Hurricane Otis, which claimed 39 lives and provoked widespread power, water and telephone outages.</p>

<p>The picturesque Mexican tourist haunt, which once lured Hollywood stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Elvis Presley, had never experienced a Category 5 hurricane like Otis, which roared ashore Wednesday and made local landmarks built over decades look like they had been bombed.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Hurricane Otis batters Mexico's Acapulco</strong></p>

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<p>A lack of phone signal has left survivors desperate to communicate with loved ones. Some 200,000 homes were damaged, with a number of restaurants and businesses in ruins.</p>

<p>"We must restart the reconstruction of Acapulco as soon as possible," President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said.</p>

<p>As aid finally began to arrive after the storm's devastating landfall -- initial estimates report $15 billion in damage -- the government on Saturday upped the death toll from the previous report of 27.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Secretary of Security Rosa Icela Rodriguez said in a video on social media that at least 10 people remain missing, up from four previously reported.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-after-hammering-from-hurricane-otis-acapulco-ravaged-by-looting-652376">Mexico: After hammering from Hurricane Otis, Acapulco ravaged by looting</a></strong></p>

<p>A security force of some 17,000 has been deployed across the area after reports that supermarkets had been looted, authorities said.</p>

<p>Additionally, the Mexican army and navy have established an air bridge "to accelerate the distribution of humanitarian aid," a government statement said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Thousands of litres of water and food supplies have been distributed in the resort city, home to 790,000 people.&nbsp;The government said victims in need of specialised care were being flown to hospitals elsewhere in Mexico.</p>

<h2><strong>Survivors angry</strong></h2>

<p>Despite the government efforts, many survivors around the area were still struggling to contact family and friends elsewhere in Mexico.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Andrea Fernandez, who is eight months pregnant, said she was distraught -- unable to let her husband in another state know that she is fine.</p>

<p>"There is no (cellular) service. I haven't been able to communicate for three days," she said, jostling on a bridge with about 20 others keen to reach loved ones.</p>

<p>"I'm desperate," she said through tears.<br />
<br />
Cell phones intermittently pick up signals in some parts of the port, but the situation is hit or miss.</p>

<p>One local woman could be overheard saying: "There is no way to get out of here! I'll talk to you again when I can. Everything here is gone. It's horrible."</p>

<p>Some survivors have told local media they were angry to hear tourists were taken to safe places to ride out the storm -- in sharp contrast to the local population.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Francisco Perez, 50, was desperate to get word to his mother. He accused the authorities of a grossly inadequate response.</p>

<p>"(They put) some portable (phone) antennas at a couple of places, but... what are we supposed to do?" he asked angrily, as people's focus has begun turning to the lack of reliable water and food.</p>

<p>Some tourists approached journalists on the port's main avenue, Costera Miguel Aleman, asking them to pass on details of a sick person who needed to be evacuated from a damaged building.</p>

<p>Otis strengthened with dramatic speed, growing in just hours from a tropical storm to the most powerful category of the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale before hitting land early Wednesday.</p>

<p>The World Meteorological Organization described the hurricane as "one of the most rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones on record," exceeded in modern times only by another Pacific hurricane, Patricia, in 2015.</p>

<p>The speed with which Otis intensified took the government and weather forecasters by surprise, leaving little time to issue warnings and prepare residents for its arrival.</p>

<p>In 1997, Hurricane Paulina hit the Acapulco region as a Category 4 storm, killing more than 200 people.</p>

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Acapulco was struggling Saturday to recover from the extraordinarily powerful Hurricane Otis, which claimed 39 lives and provoked widespread power, water and telephone outages.

Acapulco was struggling Saturday to recover from the extraordinarily powerful Hurricane Otis, which claimed 39 lives and provoked widespread power, water and telephone outages. The picturesque Mexican tourist haunt, which once lured Hollywood stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Elvis Presley, had never experienced a Category 5 hurricane like Otis, which roared ashore Wednesday and made local landmarks built over decades look like they had been bombed. Watch | Hurricane Otis batters Mexico's Acapulco × A lack of phone signal has left survivors desperate to communicate with loved ones. Some 200,000 homes were damaged, with a number of restaurants and businesses in ruins. "We must restart the reconstruction of Acapulco as soon as possible," President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said. As aid finally began to arrive after the storm's devastating landfall -- initial estimates report $15 billion in damage -- the government on Saturday upped the death toll from the previous report of 27. Secretary of Security Rosa Icela Rodriguez said in a video on social media that at least 10 people remain missing, up from four previously reported. Also Read | Mexico: After hammering from Hurricane Otis, Acapulco ravaged by looting A security force of some 17,000 has been deployed across the area after reports that supermarkets had been looted, authorities said. Additionally, the Mexican army and navy have established an air bridge "to accelerate the distribution of humanitarian aid," a government statement said. Thousands of litres of water and food supplies have been distributed in the resort city, home to 790,000 people. The government said victims in need of specialised care were being flown to hospitals elsewhere in Mexico. Survivors angry Despite the government efforts, many survivors around the area were still struggling to contact family and friends elsewhere in Mexico. Andrea Fernandez, who is eight months pregnant, said she was distraught -- unable to let her husband in another state know that she is fine. "There is no (cellular) service. I haven't been able to communicate for three days," she said, jostling on a bridge with about 20 others keen to reach loved ones. "I'm desperate," she said through tears. Cell phones intermittently pick up signals in some parts of the port, but the situation is hit or miss. One local woman could be overheard saying: "There is no way to get out of here! I'll talk to you again when I can. Everything here is gone. It's horrible." Some survivors have told local media they were angry to hear tourists were taken to safe places to ride out the storm -- in sharp contrast to the local population. Francisco Perez, 50, was desperate to get word to his mother. He accused the authorities of a grossly inadequate response. "(They put) some portable (phone) antennas at a couple of places, but... what are we supposed to do?" he asked angrily, as people's focus has begun turning to the lack of reliable water and food. Some tourists approached journalists on the port's main avenue, Costera Miguel Aleman, asking them to pass on details of a sick person who needed to be evacuated from a damaged building. Otis strengthened with dramatic speed, growing in just hours from a tropical storm to the most powerful category of the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale before hitting land early Wednesday. The World Meteorological Organization described the hurricane as "one of the most rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones on record," exceeded in modern times only by another Pacific hurricane, Patricia, in 2015. The speed with which Otis intensified took the government and weather forecasters by surprise, leaving little time to issue warnings and prepare residents for its arrival. In 1997, Hurricane Paulina hit the Acapulco region as a Category 4 storm, killing more than 200 people. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Vast destruction, 39 dead in Mexico as Hurricane Otis ravages Acapulco

<p>After it was hammered by Hurricane Otis, the Mexican city of Acapulco is now being ravaged by looting. The record-breaking storm resulted in death of at least 27 people and left thousands of people struggling to get food and water.</p>

<p>When Hurricane Otis hit Acapulco on Wednesday (October 25), it pounded the city with winds of 165 miles per hour (266 km per hour). It flooded the city, tore roofs from homes, submerged vehicles and affected communication and even road and air connectivity. It was a Category 5 storm that caused devastation worth billions of dollars.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Mexico: Hurricane Otis wrecks buildings, down trees; kills at least 27 people</strong></p>

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<p>"Right now, money's no use to us because there's nothing to buy, everything's been looted," 57-year-old Acapulco resident Rodolfo Villagomez said after Otis tore through the city.</p>

<p>"It was total chaos. You could hear it here hissing like a bull."</p>

<p>He was quoted by Reuters.</p>

<p>On Thursday evening, people carried off goods including food, water and toilet paper from stores. "We came to get food, because we don't have any," a woman told Reuters.</p>

<p>"There were acts of looting in some places because there was an emergency," President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Friday, urging residents not to take advantage of the situation.</p>

<p>President Obrador has said that the government would help the people in the city. However, residents are saying that the aid is insufficient.</p>

<p>"All the stores are closed or destroyed," said Raul Busto Ramirez (76) as quoted by Reuters. He blamed the looting on shortage and out-of-action ATMs.</p>

<p>Not much information has been released by the government about the death toll and number of injured. It has only said that four people are missing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Mexican authorities have said that Hurricane Otis was the most powerful storm ever to Pacific coast of Mexico. It gathered strength unexpectedly and defied predictions of the weather forecasters.</p>

<p>However, President Obrador has said "We were lucky".</p>

<p>"Nature, the creator protected us, even with the fury of the hurricane," he added. "There's a lot of material damage but luckily we're not registering too many deaths."</p>

<p>The government is yet to assess the damage caused by Otis. Reuters quoted Enki Research, which tracks tropical storms and estimates the damage. Enki Research estimates it to be "approaching $15 billion."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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After it was hammered by Hurricane Otis, the Mexican city of Acapulco is now being ravaged by looting. The record-breaking storm resulted in death of at least 27 people and left thousands of people struggling to get food and water.

After it was hammered by Hurricane Otis, the Mexican city of Acapulco is now being ravaged by looting. The record-breaking storm resulted in death of at least 27 people and left thousands of people struggling to get food and water. When Hurricane Otis hit Acapulco on Wednesday (October 25), it pounded the city with winds of 165 miles per hour (266 km per hour). It flooded the city, tore roofs from homes, submerged vehicles and affected communication and even road and air connectivity. It was a Category 5 storm that caused devastation worth billions of dollars. Watch | Mexico: Hurricane Otis wrecks buildings, down trees; kills at least 27 people × "Right now, money's no use to us because there's nothing to buy, everything's been looted," 57-year-old Acapulco resident Rodolfo Villagomez said after Otis tore through the city. "It was total chaos. You could hear it here hissing like a bull." He was quoted by Reuters. On Thursday evening, people carried off goods including food, water and toilet paper from stores. "We came to get food, because we don't have any," a woman told Reuters. "There were acts of looting in some places because there was an emergency," President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Friday, urging residents not to take advantage of the situation. President Obrador has said that the government would help the people in the city. However, residents are saying that the aid is insufficient. "All the stores are closed or destroyed," said Raul Busto Ramirez (76) as quoted by Reuters. He blamed the looting on shortage and out-of-action ATMs. Not much information has been released by the government about the death toll and number of injured. It has only said that four people are missing. The Mexican authorities have said that Hurricane Otis was the most powerful storm ever to Pacific coast of Mexico. It gathered strength unexpectedly and defied predictions of the weather forecasters. However, President Obrador has said "We were lucky". "Nature, the creator protected us, even with the fury of the hurricane," he added. "There's a lot of material damage but luckily we're not registering too many deaths." The government is yet to assess the damage caused by Otis. Reuters quoted Enki Research, which tracks tropical storms and estimates the damage. Enki Research estimates it to be "approaching $15 billion." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Mexico: After hammering from Hurricane Otis, Acapulco ravaged by looting

On Wednesday morning, Hurricane Otis made landfall close to Acapulco, Mexico. The hurricane, a rare Category 5, had gusts as high as 165 mph at its strongest. On Tuesday, the storm picked up significant speed. The hurricane has killed at least 27 people.

Mexico: Hurricane Otis wrecks buildings, down trees; kills at least 27 people

In Pics: Damage and distress in Mexico's Acapulco as Hurricane Otis batters beach resort

<p>Hurricane Otis hit the beach resort of Mexico's Acapulco early on Wednesday. The storm, which happens to be one of the strongest storms ever to hit Mexico's Pacific Coast, smashed buildings and vital infrastructure, leaving the city disconnected and without power. It&nbsp;claimed the lives of at least 27 people.</p>

<h2><strong>The destruction wrought massive destruction</strong></h2>

<p>In the southern state of Guerrero the category 5 storm, Otis, as per videos and photos on social media, wrought widespread destruction, wrecking hotels, ripping open walls and ceilings, shattering windows, and leaving cars partly submerged in floodwaters.</p>

<p>Videos from Acapulco show debris strewn around lobbies, patios, streets and hotel balconies, and remnants of mangled trees littering the city's downtown area.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="es">A más de 20 horas del impacto de <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Otis?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Otis</a>:<br />
<br />
-<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Acapulco?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Acapulco</a> sigue incomunicado<br />
-Aún no hay luz al 100%<br />
-El aeropuerto está cerrado<br />
-Autopista del Sol, abierta solo para vehículos oficiales<br />
-No hemos visto a la gobernadora<br />
-La alcaldesa del Puerto no ha dado la cara <a href="https://t.co/b3NZZtZ0sV">pic.twitter.com/b3NZZtZ0sV</a></p>
— Manuel Lopez San Martin (@MLopezSanMartin) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLopezSanMartin/status/1717383357233758657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Whoahhh! Jeeeze!! This video really shows how bad the situation is in Acapulco 😭💔<br />
<br />
📹 Jorge Martíne<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HurricaneOtis?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HurricaneOtis</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HurracanOtis?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HurracanOtis</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Otis?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Otis</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Acapulco?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Acapulco</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mexico?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mexico</a> <a href="https://t.co/XboA3EYoCM">pic.twitter.com/XboA3EYoCM</a></p>
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) <a href="https://twitter.com/volcaholic1/status/1717286069924671618?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/hurricane-otis-mexicos-most-powerful-storm-makes-landfall-near-acapulco-on-pacific-coast-651094">Hurricane Otis: Mexico's most powerful storm ever makes landfall near Acapulco resort</a></strong></p>

<p>Furthermore, downed telecommunication lines&nbsp;and damage to infrastructure left the city's residents disconnected from the outside world.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The power loss also led to the closure of the city's airport. Furthermore, as per the government, the airport suffered significant damage — with storm Otis smashing the control tower's windows.</p>

<p>While there were no immediate reports of fatalities, as per a Reuters report, this could be because&nbsp;power outages have made it hard for officials to assess the extent of the destruction.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Hurricane Otis slams Mexican coast as a category 5 storm</strong></p>

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<p>Some officials have reportedly expressed concern that there would likely have been some loss of life.</p>

<h2><strong>President lends support</strong></h2>

<p>As per Reuters, Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador tried to reach Acapulco by car to lend his support. However, he was held up due to road closures caused by the storm.</p>

<p>Otis roared into the coast with winds of 165 miles per hour (266 kph), reaching the shore as a Category 5 storm - the strongest level on the five-step Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale. However, it quickly weakened to a Category 4 storm.</p>

<p>It further lost its power as it moved inland, reducing to a tropical storm and finally dissipating over southern Mexico mountains. As per Reuters, the&nbsp;main highway connecting Acapulco to Mexico City will not be fully open until Thursday. The nation has mobilised the military&nbsp;to help clear up the mess left behind by Otis.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Hurricane Otis hit the beach resort of Mexico's Acapulco early on Wednesday. The storm, which happens to be one of the strongest storms ever to hit Mexico's Pacific Coast, smashed buildings and vital infrastructure, leaving the city disconnected and without power.

Hurricane Otis hit the beach resort of Mexico's Acapulco early on Wednesday. The storm, which happens to be one of the strongest storms ever to hit Mexico's Pacific Coast, smashed buildings and vital infrastructure, leaving the city disconnected and without power. It claimed the lives of at least 27 people. The destruction wrought massive destruction In the southern state of Guerrero the category 5 storm, Otis, as per videos and photos on social media, wrought widespread destruction, wrecking hotels, ripping open walls and ceilings, shattering windows, and leaving cars partly submerged in floodwaters. Videos from Acapulco show debris strewn around lobbies, patios, streets and hotel balconies, and remnants of mangled trees littering the city's downtown area. A más de 20 horas del impacto de #Otis: -#Acapulco sigue incomunicado -Aún no hay luz al 100% -El aeropuerto está cerrado -Autopista del Sol, abierta solo para vehículos oficiales -No hemos visto a la gobernadora -La alcaldesa del Puerto no ha dado la cara pic.twitter.com/b3NZZtZ0sV — Manuel Lopez San Martin (@MLopezSanMartin) October 26, 2023 × Whoahhh! Jeeeze!! This video really shows how bad the situation is in Acapulco 😭💔 📹 Jorge Martíne#HurricaneOtis #HurracanOtis #Otis #Acapulco #Mexico pic.twitter.com/XboA3EYoCM — Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) October 25, 2023 × Also read | Hurricane Otis: Mexico's most powerful storm ever makes landfall near Acapulco resort Furthermore, downed telecommunication lines and damage to infrastructure left the city's residents disconnected from the outside world. The power loss also led to the closure of the city's airport. Furthermore, as per the government, the airport suffered significant damage — with storm Otis smashing the control tower's windows. While there were no immediate reports of fatalities, as per a Reuters report, this could be because power outages have made it hard for officials to assess the extent of the destruction. Watch | Hurricane Otis slams Mexican coast as a category 5 storm Some officials have reportedly expressed concern that there would likely have been some loss of life. President lends support As per Reuters, Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador tried to reach Acapulco by car to lend his support. However, he was held up due to road closures caused by the storm. Otis roared into the coast with winds of 165 miles per hour (266 kph), reaching the shore as a Category 5 storm - the strongest level on the five-step Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale. However, it quickly weakened to a Category 4 storm. It further lost its power as it moved inland, reducing to a tropical storm and finally dissipating over southern Mexico mountains. As per Reuters, the main highway connecting Acapulco to Mexico City will not be fully open until Thursday. The nation has mobilised the military to help clear up the mess left behind by Otis. (With inputs from agencies)

Category 5 Hurricane Otis roars into Mexico, causing widespread destruction

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<p>Hurricane Otis made landfall near the resort city of Acapulco on the southern Pacific Coast of Mexico on Wednesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Category 5 hurricane threatens to bring record winds and rainfall that could create a dreadful scenario of flooding and mudslides.</p>

<p>The National Hurricane Center reported that the maximum sustained winds rose to 165 miles per hour with strong gusts when Hurricane Otis hit the Mexico beach at about 12:25 am local time.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hurricane Otis originated in the Pacific Ocean on Sunday and evolved as a Category 1 storm on Tuesday. Forecasters believe the potentially catastrophic storm is the most powerful one Mexico has ever witnessed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Acapulco, a massive port city and famous tourist destination with a population of 852,000, lies in Hurricane Otis' route. The storm hit the Mexico coast as the fishing villages and beach resorts gear up for peak winter season.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center called it a "serious situation for the Acapulco metropolitan area." They warned people about the Hurricane reaching near or over the city.</p>

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<p>On Tuesday, the authorities also issued a hurricane warning for the Pacific Coast in Guerrero, the beach town of Punta Maldonado and the resort city of Zihuatanejo.</p>

<p>Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the president of Mexico, has urged Guerrero residents to stay prepared for the storm. "Agree to move to shelters, stay in safe places, away from rivers, streams, ravines, and be alert," he said.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the National Coordination of Civil Protection said it evacuated citizens from dangerous areas to temporary shelters in Acapulco and Tecpán de Galeana. It advised people to avoid landslide-prone areas and crossing streams and flooded streets.</p>

<p>As per the warning, the storm could produce life-threatening floods and mudslides in mountainous areas.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The forecasters predicted a maximum rain of 16 inches across Guerrero and the western coastal section of Oaxaca through Thursday.</p>

<p>However, Category 5 storms lose energy over shallower waters when they make landfall. They are tropical storms with wind speeds over 157 miles per hour, the rarest and strongest class in the Saffir-Simpson scale. "There are no hurricanes on record even close to this intensity for this part of Mexico," the National Coordination of Civil Protection added. Otis could be more devastating than Hurricane Pauline, a 1997 storm that caused mass destruction and killed more than 200 people.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Hurricane Otis made landfall near the resort city of Acapulco on the southern Pacific Coast of Mexico on Wednesday. The Category 5 hurricane threatens to bring record winds and rainfall that could create a dreadful scenario of flooding and mudslides.

Hurricane Otis made landfall near the resort city of Acapulco on the southern Pacific Coast of Mexico on Wednesday. The Category 5 hurricane threatens to bring record winds and rainfall that could create a dreadful scenario of flooding and mudslides. The National Hurricane Center reported that the maximum sustained winds rose to 165 miles per hour with strong gusts when Hurricane Otis hit the Mexico beach at about 12:25 am local time. Hurricane Otis originated in the Pacific Ocean on Sunday and evolved as a Category 1 storm on Tuesday. Forecasters believe the potentially catastrophic storm is the most powerful one Mexico has ever witnessed. Acapulco, a massive port city and famous tourist destination with a population of 852,000, lies in Hurricane Otis' route. The storm hit the Mexico coast as the fishing villages and beach resorts gear up for peak winter season. On Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center called it a "serious situation for the Acapulco metropolitan area." They warned people about the Hurricane reaching near or over the city. ALSO READ | Explained: Why is Israel putting Gaza's ground invasion on back-burner? On Tuesday, the authorities also issued a hurricane warning for the Pacific Coast in Guerrero, the beach town of Punta Maldonado and the resort city of Zihuatanejo. Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the president of Mexico, has urged Guerrero residents to stay prepared for the storm. "Agree to move to shelters, stay in safe places, away from rivers, streams, ravines, and be alert," he said. Meanwhile, the National Coordination of Civil Protection said it evacuated citizens from dangerous areas to temporary shelters in Acapulco and Tecpán de Galeana. It advised people to avoid landslide-prone areas and crossing streams and flooded streets. As per the warning, the storm could produce life-threatening floods and mudslides in mountainous areas. The forecasters predicted a maximum rain of 16 inches across Guerrero and the western coastal section of Oaxaca through Thursday. However, Category 5 storms lose energy over shallower waters when they make landfall. They are tropical storms with wind speeds over 157 miles per hour, the rarest and strongest class in the Saffir-Simpson scale. "There are no hurricanes on record even close to this intensity for this part of Mexico," the National Coordination of Civil Protection added. Otis could be more devastating than Hurricane Pauline, a 1997 storm that caused mass destruction and killed more than 200 people. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Hurricane Otis: Mexico's most powerful storm ever makes landfall near Acapulco resort

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