Hurricane Otis – latest: Fears grow for people still missing in Acapulco after storm killed 27
Four people are missing after the strongest ever storm to make landfall on Mexico’s west coast
Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet
Get our free Climate email
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.
Hurricane Otis path tracker: Where will the storm hit next?
Heavy rain from Otis will continue to impact areas of southwest Mexico across Guerrero and Oaxaca states, and may also cause “life-threatening coastal flooding” through Thursday, NHC said.
Martha McHardy reports:
Hurricane Otis path tracker: Where will the storm hit next?
Hurricane Otis made landfall near the coastal city of Acapulco, Mexico
Acapulco cut off by Cat-5 Hurricane Otis which caught forecasters by surprise
A “nightmare scenario” struck shortly after midnight in the coastal city of Acapulco on Wednesday.
Hurricane Otis roared ashore in southern Mexico, the strongest-ever storm to make landfall on the country’s west coast.
The hurricane underwent explosive intensification from a Category 1 to Category 5 in just 12 hours in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, catching forecasters by surprise. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) described it as a “nightmare scenario” for the region.
Louise Boyle reports:
Acapulco cut off by Cat-5 Hurricane Otis which caught forecasters by surprise
The hurricane underwent explosive intensification from a Category 1 to Category 5 in just 12 hours, catching forecasters by surprise
Latest pictures: Destruction caused by Hurricane Otis
At least 27 dead in Acapulco after Otis
At least 27 people are dead after Hurricane Otis, Mexican officials said on Thursday.
“Unfortunately, we received word from the state and city governments that 27 people are dead and four are missing,” Secretary of State for Security Rosa Icela Rodriguez told a news conference in Mexico City.
She said communications with Acapulco were being gradually restored.
Main road connecting Acapulco to Mexico City partially reopens
The main road connecting Acapulco to Mexico City has reopened in one direction, Secretary of State for Security Rosa Icela Rodriguez said.
The road was closed after Hurricane Otis ripped through Acapulco yesterday, destroying many buildings.
Communications were also down in the city overnight, with many still without power on Thursday.
Four missing after ‘catastrophic’ Hurricane Otis
At least four people are missing after Hurricane Otis ripped through Acapulco, Mexican officials said on Thursday.
Secretary of State for Security Rosa Icela Rodriguez said at least 27 people have died, while four are missing after 165mph winds ripped through Acapulco yesterday.
One soldier among dead after ‘wall collapsed on him'
At least one soldier is among the 27 people dead in Acapulco after a Category 5 hurricane ripped through the city.
Mexican president Andrés Manuel López Obrador did not share details about those who died, but said one soldier was killed in the hurricane after a wall collapsed on him.
At least four people are missing.
Not a single powerline left standing in Acapulco after Hurricane Otis
Not a single powerline was left standing in the Mexican city of Acapulco after Hurricane Otis ripped through the city, Mexican president Andrés Manuel López Obrador said.
Millions of people in Acapulco were left without power after 165mph winds hammered the city yesterday.
President López Obrador added that small farmers had their corn crops devastated by Otis.
He said restoring power to the city is the top priority.
Mexican President gets stuck in mud as he visits Acapulco
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador travelled to Acapulco on Thursday, where at least 27 people died in a category 5 hurricane.
Mr López Obrador’s car became stuck in the mud as he tried to get over the highway.
He had to get out of the car to walk after debris from a mudslide blocked the way.
“The army is bringing machinery and we’re going to try to reopen [the highway] as soon as possible,” he said.
It came after Acapulco residents expressed their dissatisfaction at the speed of rescue efforts.
Residents have also described looting taking place at local shops after families lost their homes and important documents in the hurricane.
“When is the government ever going to look after the common people?” one resident said.
Powerful winds and heavy rainfall have ravaged the city after Hurricane Otis made landfall in Acapulco just after midnight in the city, causing flooding and landslides.
Tens of thousands were also left without power after the hurricane destroyed all the city’s powerlines.
Latest pictures from Acapulco after Hurricane Otis
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies