ACAPULCO, Mexico - Hurricane Otis, which struck the southern Pacific coast of Mexico near Acapulco on October 25th, has now been classified as the fifth-highest wind gust on land ever recorded globally. The National Autonomous University of Mexico's Tidal Service confirmed that a weather station in Acapulco registered a staggering 205 mph wind gust during the storm. This remarkable measurement places Otis among the strongest wind speeds ever recorded on Earth.

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Hurricane Otis was classified as a Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 165 mph when it made landfall, making it the strongest hurricane on record to hit the Pacific side of Mexico. The storm caused extensive destruction along Acapulco's coastline, resulting in a significant amount of damage to 80% of the city's hotels.

The aftermath of Hurricane Otis revealed widespread devastation, with power and internet outages, citywide looting, and severe damage to commercial and military airports. The Mexican government has reported a death toll of at least 46 people, with nearly 60 people still missing.

The National Tidal Service of the National Autonomous University of Mexico promptly dispatched two technicians to Acapulco to recover important hurricane data from their monitoring stations. The agency deemed this data retrieval vital, as it provided essential information on the center of the hurricane and its trajectory.

The record-breaking wind gust of 205 mph occurred at 12:40 a.m., which places Otis in close proximity to the Eastern Pacific record set by Hurricane Patricia in October 2015, which reached a peak intensity of 213 mph over the ocean.

However, there are concerns regarding the accuracy of the wind speed measurements. Experts from FOX Weather have noted that Otis weakened in the hours leading up to landfall, suggesting that the hurricane may have been slightly weaker than originally thought. Additionally, the instrument used to measure the gust will undergo evaluation, as anemometers can sometimes be poorly calibrated at such high wind speeds.

As the recovery efforts continue in Acapulco, the Mexican Red Cross has delivered 75 tons of humanitarian aid to those affected by the disaster. Over 1,600 individuals are still residing in shelters in both Acapulco and Coyuca de Benítez.

Hurricane Otis will be remembered as one of the most powerful storms to hit the Pacific side of Mexico, leaving a trail of destruction and loss. The world looks on in awe at the incredible force of nature witnessed during this tumultuous event.