Hurricane Otis Devastates Acapulco as a Category 4 Storm
The Wrath of Nature ACAPULCO, Mexico - In the early hours of Wednesday, Hurricane Otis, a Category 4 storm, unleashed its fury upon the idyllic Mexican beach resort of Acapulco. The storm, which had been rapidly gaining strength, brought hotels to their knees and sent tourists scrambling for shelter as it pounded the southern Pacific coast with relentless rain and ferocious winds. As dawn broke over the state of Guerrero, the aftermath of Otis's rampage became painfully clear, with images circulating on social media showcasing ravaged rooms, shattered ceilings and walls, and cars submerged in floodwaters. Mexico's civil protection authorities reported widespread power outages in Guerrero, and flights to and from Acapulco were grounded. School classes were canceled, all thanks to Otis, one of the most potent storms to ever batter Mexico's Pacific Coast. The Unrelenting Power of Otis As of 0600 local time (1200 GMT), Hurricane Otis was positioned just 60 miles (100 km) north-northwest of Acapulco. Although it had weakened upon making landfall, its winds were still roaring at 110 miles per hour, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC). Otis had previously held a Category 5 status before its arrival. Now downgraded, it is anticipated to gradually dissipate within the next 24 hours. Nevertheless, the storm continues to dump heavy rainfall and incite flash flooding with its hurricane-force winds throughout vast regions of southern Mexico. The wrath of Otis is expected to bring up to 20 inches (51 cm) of rain to portions of Guerrero and Oaxaca states. The consequences might include mudslides, a "potentially catastrophic" storm surge, and life-threatening surf and rip currents, as warned by authorities. CONAGUA, Mexico's national water agency, has issued an alert about six-to-eight-meter high waves off Guerrero and parts of Oaxaca. Preparedness and Response Authorities in Guerrero have taken preemptive measures by opening storm shelters, while the National Guard stands ready for rescue operations and evacuations. The Defense Ministry had already set its disaster plan into motion before the storm's arrival, as President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador confirmed. Soldiers patrolled the rapidly emptying beaches of Acapulco, a poignant testament to the devastating power of Hurricane Otis.