The Mexican Resort City Faces Unprecedented Destruction; Authorities Begin Aid Distribution and Damage Assessments

The death toll from the catastrophic Hurricane Otis in Acapulco, Mexico, has now reached 43, according to the governor of Guerrero state, Evelyn Salgado. The hurricane struck the resort city with 165mph winds, causing widespread flooding, building collapses, and power outages. Efforts to restore normalcy are underway, with electricity now restored to 58% of the city.

In the wake of the storm, Mexican authorities are working tirelessly to assess the damages. Officials have conducted a census, visiting 10,000 families in Acapulco and the nearby city of Coyuca de Benitez. Salgado emphasized that these have been “intense days of non-stop work” as the focus shifts to delivering aid to the affected areas.

The damage from Hurricane Otis is extensive, with many homes, hotels, and businesses torn apart, and vehicles submerged under floodwaters. Acapulco’s communication infrastructure, including roads and airports, was severely damaged, further complicating rescue and relief efforts. The hurricane, which reached Category 5 intensity, has left the region in chaos, and looting has become an ongoing issue as residents struggle to find food and water.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador faced criticism for his handling of the disaster, with many accusing the government of inadequate response. Despite these accusations, the president took to social media to defend his administration, claiming that media outlets had exaggerated the scale of the disaster. He also asserted that his government was doing more than any previous administration to address the aftermath.

According to the security minister, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, most of the victims are believed to have drowned due to the storm’s extreme conditions. As of Saturday, 10 people remained unaccounted for, and rescue teams continued their efforts to search for survivors. On the bay, inflatable boats retrieved three bodies wrapped in black bags, underscoring the severity of the disaster.

The destruction is not only human but also economic, with more than 220,000 homes and 80% of the hotel sector affected. Over half a million people lost power, further compounding the disaster’s impact. The cost of the damage is estimated to run into billions of dollars.

In areas like the Renacimiento neighborhood, survivors wade through floodwaters, many lamenting the lack of government aid. Locals like Apolonio Maldonado voiced frustration over the slow response, describing how they received neither food nor basic supplies. Residents, such as Martha Villanueva, expressed despair, having lost everything in the floodwaters.

The Mexican government has mobilized more than 8,000 armed forces personnel to assist in recovery efforts, but with the scale of devastation continuing to unfold, the full extent of the damage is yet to be determined. The authorities have confirmed that Hurricane Otis is the most powerful storm ever recorded to strike Mexico’s Pacific coast, with its rapid intensification catching forecasters by surprise.