Hurricane Otis made landfall near Acapulco, Mexico, as a Category 5 storm early on Wednesday, October 25, bringing maximum sustained winds of up to 165 mph.
made a historic landfall near Acapulco, , at intensity early Wednesday, packing destructive winds up to 165 mph.
Otis was the strongest to ever make landfall on the Pacific side of Mexico. It was also the first time an Eastern Pacific hurricane made landfall at Category 5 intensity.
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People stand on the beach after Hurricane Otis’ arrival alert in Acapulco, Guerrero state, Mexico on October 24, 2023. (FRANCISCO ROBLES/AFP)
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A municipal police officer stands guard before the arrival of Hurricane Otis in Acapulco, Guerrero state, Mexico on October 24, 2023. (FRANCISCO ROBLES/AFP)
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People rest at the beach after Hurricane Otis’ arrival alert in Acapulco, Guerrero state, Mexico on October 24, 2023. via Getty Images) (FRANCISCO ROBLES/AFP)
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A store is protected for the arrival of Hurricane Otis in Acapulco, Guerrero state, Mexico on October 24, 2023. (FRANCISCO ROBLES/AFP)
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said catastrophic damage was likely where the hurricane’s core moved onshore.
“A nightmare scenario is unfolding for southern Mexico this evening with rapidly intensifying Otis approaching the coastline,” the NHC Tuesday night after Otis intensified at an explosive rate. “… This is an extremely serious situation for the Acapulco metropolitan area with the core of the destructive hurricane likely to come near or over that large city early on Wednesday. There are no hurricanes on record even close to this intensity for this part of Mexico.”
Residents in southern Mexico were warned to brace for “potentially catastrophic” with “life-threatening” coastal flooding, huge waves, destructive and rainfall.
(FOX Weather)
President Andres Manuel citizens should “agree to move to shelters, stay in safe places: away from rivers, streams, ravines and be alert.”
Footage recorded by X user David Hall shows palm trees swaying in strong wind and driving rain.
Hurricane Otis made landfall near Acapulco, Mexico, as a Category 5 storm early on Wednesday, October 25, bringing maximum sustained winds of up to 165 mph. The dangerous, life-threatening storm surge was expected to bring catastrophic damage, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Otis is expected to produce rainfall totals between 8 and 16 inches, with maximum amounts up to 20 inches, through Thursday across the state of Guerrero and the western coastal sections of Oaxaca. This rainfall will produce flash and urban flooding, along with in higher-terrain areas.
The NHC said Otis will track toward the north-northwest through Wednesday night and continue to move inland across southern Mexico until it dissipates.
Hurricane Otis made landfall near Acapulco, Mexico, as a Category 5 storm early on Wednesday, October 25, bringing maximum sustained winds of up to 165 mph.