In the aftermath of Category 5 Hurricane Otis, striking Acapulco with unprecedented force, officials and residents are grappling with the extensive damage left in its wake. Stunning satellite images obtained from Maxar Technologies show the scale of the disaster, revealing widespread destruction to neighborhoods, hotels, marinas, and the city as a whole.

Hurricane Otis made landfall on the Pacific coast of Mexico in the early hours of October 25, accompanied by torrential rains and 165-mph winds. It quickly became the most powerful storm ever recorded in the region. As of Tuesday morning, the official death toll stands at 47, though authorities anticipate this number to rise as rescue and recovery efforts continue.

The satellite images illustrate the dramatic transformation of Acapulco, snapshotting the landscape before and after Otis struck. Comparing the image of Acapulco Bay on October 4 to that of October 26, the devastation is evident. Buildings have been severely damaged, and flooding has engulfed the region.

Experts highlight the alarming speed at which Hurricane Otis intensified in the eastern Pacific Ocean, making it the fastest-growing hurricane on record. Scientists caution that as climate change warms the oceans, more super-charged storms like Otis are likely to occur with increasing frequency.

Days after the hurricane's impact, the situation remains dire for residents of Acapulco. More than two days after the storm hit, hundreds of thousands of homes are still without power, leaving survivors in desperate circumstances. Access to essential resources such as food, gasoline, and clean water remains a challenge, with limited aid distribution and few open businesses in the city, as noted by reports from The Los Angeles Times.

The satellite imagery shows the La Poza neighborhood, located southeast of Acapulco Bay and adjacent to a lagoon. On October 4, the area appeared intact, but by October 26, it was submerged in brown floodwaters. Homes and roads were submerged, adding to the devastation caused by Hurricane Otis.

Acapulco's marinas also suffered enormous damage. The before and after images capture the state of several marinas in Acapulco Bay on October 4, filled with boats. By October 26, most marinas were visibly damaged, and a significant number of boats were missing, possibly sunk during the storm.

Traditionally, in previous hurricanes, most of the fatalities in Acapulco occurred due to flooding on land. However, with Otis, it appears that a considerable number of deaths occurred at sea. Reports suggest that some boat crew members remained on board to safeguard their vessels, leading to tragic consequences.

Officials and aid organizations are mobilizing resources to provide relief to the affected areas. The focus remains on locating and assisting survivors, restoring essential services, and starting the long process of rebuilding Acapulco in the face of this unprecedented natural disaster.

As Acapulco navigates the aftermath of Hurricane Otis, the resilient spirit and resilience of its people will undoubtedly be instrumental in the path toward recovery.