- Category 4 hurricane Otis spreads over Mexico's southern coast

Hurricane Otis, a Category 4 storm, made landfall on Mexico’s southern coast, specifically in the beach resorts of Acapulco. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that the hurricane brought damaging winds and heavy rainfall, causing flash flooding. Although it was previously a Category 5 storm, Otis was downgraded before reaching land. The NHC warned of the potential for “potentially catastrophic” storm surge, as well as “life-threatening” surf and rip current conditions. Authorities also expressed concerns about the possibility of flash floods and mudslides, particularly in Guerrero and Oaxaca states, where up to 20 inches of rain could fall. Mexico’s national water agency, CONAGUA, issued a warning about the high surf off Guerrero and parts of Oaxaca. The NHC reported that Otis was located about 25 miles North-Northwest of Acapulco, with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph. In response to the approaching storm, authorities in Guerrero were preparing storm shelters, and the national guard was assisting with rescue and evacuation efforts. Power outages were reported throughout Guerrero, and schools canceled classes for Wednesday. The defense ministry implemented a disaster plan, and soldiers were deployed to patrol the beaches of Acapulco. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced the activation of the disaster plan on social media. The article was reported by Javier Verdin in Acapulco and Brendan O’Boyle in Mexico City, with writing by Brendan O’Boyle and Natalia Siniawski. The article was edited by Robert Birsel, Bernadette Baum, and Jan Harvey. The article adheres to the Thomson RushHourDaily Trust Principles.