Looting devastated Acapulco, Mexico after Hurricane Otis, which killed at least 27 people and caused severe damage. The storm brought winds of 165 miles per hour and resulted in flooding, destroyed roofs, and disrupted communications and transportation. The estimated cost of the destruction caused by the Category 5 hurricane is in the billions of dollars, and the government deployed over 8,000 armed forces members to assist in the recovery efforts.
Residents of Acapulco expressed their inability to use money due to widespread looting in the aftermath of the hurricane. Chaotic scenes were witnessed with people looting stores for essential supplies such as food, water, and toilet paper. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador acknowledged the instances of looting and urged residents not to take advantage of the situation.
The devastation was not limited to looting but extended to property damage. Wrecked supermarkets were pillaged, leaving shelves empty. Ruined homes were surrounded by debris and damaged trees. Lopez Obrador assured that the government would provide assistance to the nearly 900,000 residents of Acapulco, but some people found the aid to be insufficient. Shortages were reported, and people were unable to access ATM machines, leaving them without cash.
Little information has been released regarding the casualties and injuries caused by the hurricane, but there are concerns that the death toll may increase. Letitia Murphy, who lost contact with her ex-husband during the disaster, discovered on social media that he had unfortunately perished.
The Mexican and British governments did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the situation. Additionally, another weather front is expected to bring heavy rain to Southern Mexico in the coming days.
Hurricane Otis was deemed the most powerful storm to hit Mexico’s Pacific coast. Despite the significant damage caused, Lopez Obrador considered the country fortunate due to a relatively low death toll. Efforts were made to evacuate tourists, and the city’s airport was reopened to establish an air bridge between Acapulco and Mexico City.
The cost of the hurricane has yet to be estimated, but it is expected to be around $15 billion according to Enki Research. Insurance companies were urged to expedite payouts, and various governments, including the United States and the Vatican, expressed solidarity and offered condolences. Additionally, power and telecommunication services were partially restored in Guerrero, and efforts were being made to assist citizens in the affected area.
Jef,f a Canadian tourist stuck in Acapulco, expressed concern about the scarcity of supplies and the desperate situation faced by residents as they try to survive. The destruction caused by the hurricane has left many without access to essential resources for the coming weeks or months.
Reporting by Alexandre Meneghini, Jose Cortes, Quetzalli Nicte-ha in Acapulco; Diego Ore and Kylie Madry in Mexico City, Laura Gottesdiener in Monterrey, and Natalia Siniawski in Gdansk; Writing by Dave Graham; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Bill Berkrot, Sandra Maler, and Raju Gopalakrishnan.
