Catastrophic Hurricane Otis Rips Through Mexico Leaving Brutal Damage

Hurricane Otis has officially touched down in Mexico, leaving severe damage behind.

Otis grew from a tropical storm with 50-mph winds at 4 p.m. CT Monday to a Category 5 hurricane with 165-mph winds by 1 a.m. Wednesday.

By 5 a.m. Wednesday, the hurricane had weakened slightly, as it sustained winds at 130 mph, making it a Category 4 storm, however, the damage that the storm brought with it was catastrophic.

https://twitter.com/zoom_earth/status/1717189650559783033

According to Accuweather, Hurricane Otis is continuing to move throughout the island, bringing "extremely destructive winds" over southern Mexico. The storm could drop up to 20 inches of rain as the life-threatening storm surge is expected to continue along the coast of southern Mexico.

The storm has destroyed hotels and other buildings as it rips through the island.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the president of Mexico, said that so far there have been no reports of lives lost, however, there has also been “no communication” with the affected area, per The Guardian.

Related: Hurricane Lee Strengthens, Predicted To Be ‘Monster’ Category 5

https://twitter.com/HFullyun/status/1717157600729424020

López Obrador informed people “to go to shelters, stay in safe places away from rivers, streams, ravines and be alert, without being overconfident”.

“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,” the weather service said. “There are no hurricanes on record even close to this intensity for this part of Mexico.”

Early on Wednesday, the hurricane was downgraded to category 4, however, the damage that it has left behind is catastrophic.

“Life-threatening storm surge will continue along the coast of southern Mexico this morning in areas of onshore winds within the hurricane warning. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves,” the NHC stated.

Related: Tropical Storm Lee Is ‘Rapidly Intensifying’ As It Heads Towards Florida

https://twitter.com/EkpaKanu/status/1717162183543714143

One reporter shared a video from the IMSS Hospital in Acapulco, which he stated was "So scary!"

Another video showed the catastrophic damage that Hurricane Otis left behind. "This is from a condo in Acapulco Diamante. Horrific! I dread to see what daylight is going to show 💔," the user wrote alongside the devastating video.

https://twitter.com/EkpaKanu/status/1717161182308733281

Just a few minutes ago, it was reported that military vehicles are en route along the Mexico-Acapulco Highway, heading towards the hurricane-affected areas.

https://twitter.com/volcaholic1/status/1717209785697759547

Related: Tropical Storm Lee Is ‘Rapidly Intensifying’ As It Heads Towards Florida

More "devastating scenes of storm surge" in Acapulco, Mexico were shared after Category 5 Hurricane Otis made landfall overnight.

https://twitter.com/zoom_earth/status/1717142554930528656

Another user shared a video, showing the rain pouring down and the high winds leaving damage behind to many buildings.

"Acapulco is getting pummeled by Hurricane Otis," the user shared alongside the devastating video.

https://twitter.com/Nerdy_Addict/status/1717151318089826549

"Jeeze!!!! This is the Princess hotel in Acapulco. It's all looking so so bad ," another user shared alongside yet another video of the storm destroying the hotel.

https://twitter.com/volcaholic1/status/1717145326295908396

Hurricane Otis went from a tropical storm to a Category 5 with 160 mph winds in just 12 hours.