During his morning press conference, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador provided details on the devastation caused by Hurricane Otis in the state of Guerrero. The aftermath of this disastrous weather event has resulted in a tragic toll of more than 20 lives lost. Accompanied by the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, and in collaboration with the Guerrero state government, the death of 27 people due to Otis’ passage was confirmed. Among the victims is a brave member of the military who unfortunately suffered a landslide at his residence.
Disappearances and Search Efforts
In addition to the loss of lives, four individuals have been reported missing, with three of them being members of the Secretary of the Navy. Guerrero’s Governor, Evelyn Salgado, also reported the disappearance of four people during the morning conference. Emergency authorities are conducting intensive search efforts in the region to locate these individuals and provide assistance.
Damaged Infrastructure and Relief Operations
The Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, described the damage to infrastructure, highlighting the situation in the road sector, with six closures in crucial areas such as Acapulco, Chilpancingo, and Coyuca, as well as damage caused by the Papagayo River overflowing. The government has mobilized a brigade of 900 workers, accompanied by 690 vehicles and heavy machinery to respond to this emergency. In addition, approximately 200 patients were evacuated from IMSS hospital facilities due to infrastructure damage. Despite some hospital flooding, it is expected that they will be able to resume operations within 24 hours.
Transportation and Service Disruptions
In the aviation sector, the Acapulco International Airport suffered damage in various areas, including corridors, the control tower, and access routes. On the other hand, it was reported that the Federal Electricity Commission managed to restore electrical service to approximately 40% of the affected users, totaling just over 500,000 people. The hotel and commercial sectors also experienced severe disruptions as a result of Hurricane Otis.
Issues with the Mexican Seismic Alert System
Additionally, it was highlighted that the Mexican Seismic Alert System experienced difficulties due to the entry of Hurricane Otis, preventing the communication of 27 sensors located in the state of Guerrero, a region with high seismic activity. This could affect the system’s ability to generate alerts in the event of an earthquake.
Rescue and Support Efforts
President López Obrador emphasized his visit to the affected areas of Acapulco and Coyuca de Benítez, where he was able to personally witness the extent of the damage. The President praised the hard work of CFE, the Navy, the National Guard, and the Army, who are deployed in the region to provide assistance. He also reported that the Secretary of National Defense and the Secretary of the Navy will remain in the area to coordinate relief efforts.
As an additional effort, the President recorded a warning message for the population affected by Hurricane Otis, which will be disseminated through loudspeakers to keep the residents of Guerrero informed.
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