ClimateNewsFour people are missing after the strongest ever storm to make landfall on Mexico’s west coast
Acapulco left decimated after Hurricane Otis
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Fears are growing for the four people missing in Acapulco after a “nightmare” Category-5 hurricane ripped through the city.
At least 27 people are dead and four people are missing after Hurricane Otis brought 165mph winds and torrential rainfall to Acapulco on Wednesday.
Flora Contreras Santos, a housewife who lives on the outskirts of the city, told of her fear after her three-year-old neighbor was swept away from her mother in a mudslide.
“The mountain came down on them. The mud took her from the mother’s arms,” she told the Associated Press. “We need help, the mother is in bad shape and we can’t find the girl.”
Meanwhile, Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado Pineda announced the establishment of a WhatsApp line to help people contact their families after communications went down in Acapulco on Wednesday.
Otis is the strongest ever storm to make landfall on Mexico’s west coast. The hurricane underwent explosive intensification from a Category 1 to Category 5 in just 12 hours, catching forecasters by surprise. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) described it as a “nightmare scenario” for the region.
1698451223WATCH: Hurricane Otis leaves trail of destruction in Acapulco Mexico: Hurricane Otis Leaves Trail Of Destruction In Acapulco
Graig Graziosi28 October 2023 01:00
1698447623‘Nobody has helped us’: Desperation in Acapulco as residents await assistance after Hurricane OtisResidents in Acapulco expressed their desperation two days after Hurricane Otis made landfall as a Category 5 storm, leaving much of the city without power and many with no means of buying food or procuring potable water.
“Nobody has helped us,” José Castro, a 29-year-old graphic designer who is stranded in the city told the LA Times. “Really, this has been the worst experience of my life.”
Amalia Garrido, 63, who was visiting the city to celebrate her grandson’s birthday when the storm hit, said she was “afraid.”
There is no water here, there is no food,” she told the LA Times. “People are stealing everywhere.”
She recalled seeing the destruction of the city’s hotel district in the wake of the storm.
“It makes you want to cry because everything is so ugly, so destroyed,” she said.
Graig Graziosi28 October 2023 00:00
1698444023Quarter of a million still without power in Acapulco following Hurricane OtisNearly a quarter of a million power customers in Acapulco — in a city of 1 million — are still without power following the devastating Hurricane Otis.
The storm made landfall on Wednesday as a Category 5 storm and destroyed much of the city, leaving much of its residents in the dark as crews continue to work to restore power.
More than 13,000 federal troops have been deployed to the city to help manage the relief efforts, though many living in Acapulco have been forced to turn to looting to find basic provisions as they await assistance.
Graig Graziosi27 October 2023 23:00
1698438623World-renown chef Jose Andreas heads to Acapulco to help feed victims of Hurricane OtisJose Andreas, a world-renown chef known for providing food and assistance in the wake of global disasters through his World Central Kitchen program, announced on Friday he was headed to Acapulco to assist in the relief efforts underway.
“@WCKitchen on the way now to support after #HurricaneOtis! We’re bringing helicopters full of sandwiches & water. Its still very early after the storm & not possible to land in Acapulco..but we’ll do whatever we can..fly..drive to help communities immediately! #ChefsForMexico,“ Mr Andreas tweeted on Friday.
Graig Graziosi27 October 2023 21:30
1698436823Acapulco residents, claiming they’ve received little in government assistance, resort to looting for critical medication, basic provisionsResidents in Acapulco have reportedly had to resort to looting for necessary medications and basic provisions in the wake of Hurricane Otis, which devastated the city when it made landfall Wedensday as a Category 5 storm.
Acapulco residents have complained that they’ve received little in the way of government assistance in the immediate aftermath of the storm.
“We came to get ice because we have meat and fish at home and it’s gonna go off,” Olivia Bautista, 48, told NPR outside a convenience store in the city. “I’ve never stolen anything in my life. This is so terrible. We have money but there’s nowhere to buy.”
NPR noted in its reporting that its team on the ground did not see a single store open to sell provisions to residents.
Another man told the outlet that he had spent hours trekking around the partially-destroyed city in search of medication for aunt, who was recently released from a cancer ward.
“People are desperate but they are taking whatever they can, even if they don’t need it,” Manuel Magallón told NPR. “My aunt really needs this medication. It’s disappointing.”
Graig Graziosi27 October 2023 21:00
169843502313,000 troops deployed to Acapulco after Hurricane Otis as president calls on desperate populace not to loot businessesThe Mexican government has deployed 13,000 troops to Acapulco to help manage the recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Otis, which devastated the city when it made landfall as a Category 5 storm on Wednesday.
Vehicles have been deployed to help evacuate stranded tourists while responders work to deliver food and provisions to the city’s residents.
Meanwhile, Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador held a press conference on Friday morning to urge residents — who are growing increasingly depserate for food, water, and other basic provisions — not to loot businesses as they struggle in the wake of the storm.
Graig Graziosi27 October 2023 20:30
1698433223‘We hid in the bathroom for hours’: A tourist recounts their experience during Hurricane OtisA tourist staying in Acapulco when Hurricane Otis made landfall Wednesday as a massive Category 5 storm recalled how she hid for hours in her room to ride out the surprise weather event.
“We hid in the bathroom for hours,” Adelita Jiménez, 42, told NPR. She and her husband were with their two teenage children visiting Acapulco for a family reunion when the storm hit. “We just held onto each other. We didn’t know if we would survive.”
Tourists searched through the partially destroyed city for food following the storm.
The Mexican government deployed trucks on Thursday to help evacuate tourists from the city.
Graig Graziosi27 October 2023 20:00
1698431407Watch: Before-and-after satellite images showcase the destruction of Hurricane OtisBefore-and-after satellite images showcase the destruction of Hurricane Otis
Martha Mchardy27 October 2023 19:30
1698429607Hurricanes are getting stronger. Here’s whyOtis went from a Category 1 to Category 5 hurricane in just 12 hours — the fastest rate ever recorded in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
The storm made landfall near Acapulco and is moving north-northwest through the country.
As global temperatures increase and sea levels rise, tropical cyclones – the catch-all term for hurricanes and typhoons – are expected to become more powerful and destructive, scientists say.
Louise Boyle reports:
Martha Mchardy27 October 2023 19:00
1698427807Bishops in Mexico call for help for people affected by Hurricane OtisBishops in Mexico have urged assistance for those affected by Hurricane Otis after the Category 5 hurricane ripped through part of the country on Sunday.
Hurricane Otis brought 165mph winds and torrential rainfall to Acapulco on Wednesday, leaving thousands without water and electricity.
“We are aware of the pain and anguish that overwhelms thousands of families who have lost their homes, property and livelihoods in these disaster areas. Many localities suffered serious damage to infrastructure, and found themselves prevented from accessing essential services,” the Mexican bishops’ conference said in a statement.
“In these difficult times, we call for unity and fraternity among Mexicans. We urge the provision of generous assistance for those affected, especially the poorest and most vulnerable. May no one remain indifferent to the suffering of others,” the statement continued.
Martha Mchardy27 October 2023 18:30
