In the aftermath of Hurricane Otis, residents of Acapulco, Mexico, are grappling with the destructive aftermath of the strongest hurricane to hit the city in decades. NBC News reports that survivors are desperately searching for their missing loved ones, unburying their homes from knee-deep mud, and facing a scarcity of basic resources.

According to Mexican Defense Secretary Luis Cresencio Sandoval, Hurricane Otis made landfall in Acapulco as a Category 5 storm early Wednesday, resulting in the loss of at least 27 lives. The death toll has remained unchanged since Thursday. However, local media have reported the presence of unrecovered bodies and hundreds of people continue to search for their missing family members.

The devastation caused by heavy rains and strong winds led to flooding and numerous landslides, destroying hundreds of homes in some of the city's poorest communities. Approximately 80% of Acapulco's hotels also suffered damage due to the hurricane. As a result, more than half of the city still lacks electricity and water, leaving residents stranded in remote areas with limited communication.

The lack of basic resources has forced many residents to empty hurricane-ravaged stores for food and supplies. Mobile phone signals are slowly returning after being completely cut off by Hurricane Otis, allowing survivors to contact friends and relatives through online messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Messenger.

In their desperate search for missing loved ones, survivors in Acapulco have been sharing photos of flooded neighborhoods and exchanging tips on finding cellphone signal spots. Some have posted pleas for information about their missing family members, while others have shared lists of survivors taking refuge in shelters.

Despite the grim situation, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador expressed optimism in a news conference, stating that the death toll was relatively low given the magnitude of the hurricane. However, he acknowledged the need to wait for complete information about the missing persons before releasing their names to the public.

Efforts are underway to aid the affected residents. The main federal highway in Acapulco has been reopened for small vehicles, and plans are in place to evacuate survivors to Mexico City via planes. Additionally, the government has collected 10,000 packages of appliances and is ready to distribute them to families in need.

Nevertheless, the road to recovery appears arduous, with some residents predicting it may take up to a year for Acapulco to fully recover. However, among the voices of optimism is Antonio Esparza, who believes that Acapulco will ultimately overcome this tragedy and rebuild.

As Acapulco continues to contend with the aftermath of Hurricane Otis, the priority remains on locating missing loved ones, restoring essential services, and providing necessary assistance to those affected by the disaster.