Eye of Hurricane Otis makes landfall near Mexico’s Acapulco resort as catastrophic Category 5 storm

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The eye of Hurricane Otis struck the vicinity of Mexico’s Acapulco resort early Wednesday as a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane, unleashing winds of 165 mph (270 km/h) and heavy rainfall. This event stirred memories of a 1997 storm that claimed the lives of numerous individuals.

Predictions suggested that the hurricane would rapidly weaken within the rugged terrain of Guerrero state. Nevertheless, the forecast of five to ten inches of rainfall, with potential accumulations of up to 15 inches in certain areas, heightened the risk of landslides and flooding.

Otis underwent swift intensification, transitioning from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in just 12 hours on Tuesday. Residents along Guerrero’s coastline hurriedly prepared for its arrival, yet the sudden escalation in the storm’s force seemed to catch many off guard.

Acapulco’s Mayor, Abelina López, issued a stern warning on Tuesday night, emphasizing the need for residents to either seek refuge in their homes or relocate to the city’s shelters. She expressed concern that Otis could surpass the devastation caused by Hurricane Pauline in 1997, which resulted in extensive damage to Acapulco and claimed over 200 lives, with hundreds more injured due to flooding and mudslides.

Situated between the mountains and the ocean, the region between the well-known resorts of Acapulco and Zihuatanejo comprises two dozen small towns and villages.

Otis’ arrival closely followed Hurricane Norma’s impact on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula to the north.

Acapulco, a city of over 1 million residents nestled at the base of steep mountains, features a diverse landscape of luxurious residences and impoverished neighborhoods, all with vistas of the shimmering Pacific Ocean.

Notably, Guerrero is among Mexico’s most economically disadvantaged and violence-stricken states. Only days before Otis’ landfall, a local police chief and 12 police officers were tragically massacred and discovered on a highway in El Papayo, located in the Guerrero township of Coyuca de Benitez, not far from the area where the hurricane made landfall.

In the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricane Tammy continued its northeastward trajectory over open waters with wind speeds reaching 85 mph (140 km/h), having recently passed through the Lesser Antilles over the weekend. Tammy’s current position is approximately 570 miles (915 kilometers) south-southeast of Bermuda. The storm is expected to transition into a potent extratropical cyclone by Thursday, as indicated by the U.S. National Hurricane Center’s forecasts.

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Reporting for this article was contributed by María Verza from Mexico City.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Catastrophic Hurricane Otis

More about Catastrophic Hurricane Otis

• Hurricane Otis Makes Landfall as Category 5 Storm
• Acapulco Mayor Urges Precautions as Otis Approaches
• Comparison to Hurricane Pauline in 1997
• Geographical Context of Acapulco and Guerrero
• Challenges in Guerrero State
• Status of Hurricane Tammy in the Atlantic
• Climate Coverage
• Reporting by María Verza