27 Confirmed Fatalities and 4 Missing Individuals Following Hurricane Otis' Devastation in Acapulco, Mexico: Insights from the Mayor

 27 Confirmed Fatalities and 4 Missing Individuals Following Hurricane Otis' Devastation in Acapulco, Mexico: Insights from the Mayor

A toppled truck in the aftermath of Hurricane Otis in Acapulco, Mexico, witnessed on Wednesday.

27 people have been confirmed dead, with 4 individuals still missing following the devastating impact of Hurricane Otis on Acapulco, Mexico. The Category 5 storm made landfall early Wednesday morning, as revealed by the city's mayor during a news conference on Thursday.

In the wake of the hurricane, Acapulco's General Hospital suffered significant damage, necessitating the relocation of 200 patients to other medical facilities. According to Rosa Icela Rodriguez, the secretary of security and citizen protection, the hospital is expected to resume normal operations within 24 hours.

On Thursday, a resident navigates through floodwaters where a residence once stood, following the aftermath of Hurricane Otis in Xaltianguis, Guerrero state, Mexico.

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the 27 deceased individuals, emphasizing the profound sadness caused by the loss of life. He acknowledged that while the city was prepared for the storm, the severity of Hurricane Otis was "exceptional" and "unexpected."

Hurricane Otis unleashed torrential rain and fierce winds on the Mexican town, making it the most powerful storm to hit Acapulco in decades. The storm triggered numerous landslides and caused the Río Papagayo, one of Acapulco's major rivers, to overflow, leading to significant damage to nearby homes.

Residents of affected communities, such as Anahí Patricia Nava, recounted their harrowing experiences, noting that they had little time to secure their belongings before the disaster struck.

In Venta Vieja, another nearby community, Carmelo Neri embarked on a seven-hour journey through debris to reach the other side and check on the well-being of his wife. The ordeal was marked by fear and uncertainty for many in the impacted areas.

Hurricane Otis initially formed as a tropical depression on Sunday at 9 a.m., but rapidly escalated into a catastrophic storm in the days that followed, as reported by Rosa Icela Rodriguez. Mexican President Obrador personally led disaster relief efforts in the affected regions alongside other officials.

Rescue operations continue, and the mayor of Acapulco mentioned that efforts are underway to reopen roads with alternative routes and to restore some cellphone towers. Obrador acknowledged that communication in the city remains limited but is working to transmit a recorded message to residents. Over 1,000 workers are engaged in efforts to restore electrical service by laying new power lines.

However, there are individuals like Evangelina Rodríguez, who reside outside of Acapulco and have been unable to contact their loved ones since the hurricane struck. She expressed her distress at being unable to reach her diabetic mother and other relatives.

Additionally, the mayor reported that approximately 80% of the city's hotels have been affected by Hurricane Otis, and they are working on evacuating those who wish to leave free of charge.

Officials anticipate releasing the names of the 27 victims, all of whom are from Acapulco, on Thursday. Among the missing individuals, three are secretaries in the Navy, as confirmed by authorities.