Following its landfall on the southern Pacific coast of Mexico, Hurricane Otis has shown some weakening, though it remains a significant threat as it advances inland.
The latest update from the National Hurricane Center, headquartered in Miami, reveals that Otis is currently located approximately 40 kilometers northwest of Acapulco, a popular resort city. It carries maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour, classifying it as a Category 4 hurricane on the center’s five-level scale that gauges a storm’s maximum sustained wind speed and destructive potential.
When it made landfall near Acapulco, Hurricane Otis was categorized as a formidable Category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds of 270 kilometers per hour. Forecasts indicate that the center of Otis will continue its inland trajectory over southern Mexico throughout Wednesday night.
The NHC has canceled the hurricane watch and tropical storm warning east of Punta Maldonado, a coastal town situated roughly 245 kilometers southeast of Acapulco in Guerrero state. However, a hurricane warning remains in effect west of Punta Maldonado.
Predictions from meteorologists suggest that Hurricane Otis will bring substantial rainfall to Guerrero and the western coastal regions of Oaxaca, with totals ranging from 20 to 40 centimeters and maximum accumulations of 50 centimeters. This will heighten the risk of flash flooding and mudslides in elevated areas.
Additionally, Otis is expected to generate a potentially devastating storm surge that could result in life-threatening coastal flooding, along with the presence of large and destructive waves.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has issued an urgent appeal to residents in Guerrero state, urging them to “move to shelters, stay in safe places, away from rivers, streams, ravines, and remain vigilant.”
The NHC anticipates that Otis will weaken as it traverses higher terrain during the day, ultimately dissipating over southern Mexico on Wednesday night.
