Recent Updates on Hurricane Otis Impact in Acapulco, Mexico
“Ports remain closed in Acapulco following Otis” – this headline has been making waves in the news recently as Mexico continues to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Otis. The devastating impact of the storm has left ports in the state of Guerrero closed, with Acapulco facing restrictions on both large and small boats entering its ports. Puerto Marqués is also affected, with closures only for small boats.
The situation in Acapulco has prompted Mexico’s national civil protection coordination agency to take action, with the security cabinet moving to the area to aid residents affected by Otis. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has instructed security officials to accelerate care and assistance to those in need, as well as conduct damage assessments to determine the necessary measures for recovery.
As the country braces for a potential humanitarian disaster in the wake of Otis, heavy rainfall and flash flooding have hit southern Mexico as the storm has been downgraded to a tropical storm. Despite the downgrade, the U.S. National Hurricane Center warns of continued heavy rainfall and the risk of flooding in the region.
In addition to the challenges posed by the storm, a 4.4-magnitude earthquake was detected in the state of Guerrero, further complicating recovery efforts. The earthquake comes as much of the seismic sensor network used to detect quakes was knocked offline by Otis, leaving the region vulnerable to further seismic activity.
The destruction caused by Otis has also impacted transportation in Acapulco, with the airport inaccessible and a major highway blocked by a landslide. Mexican authorities are working to prioritize aid delivery to the area, but the storm’s destruction has made access difficult.
As Mexico works to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Otis, the country faces challenges on multiple fronts. The resilience and determination of the Mexican people will be crucial in overcoming these obstacles and rebuilding in the aftermath of the storm.