Rufina Ruiz suburb near the entrance to Acapulco faced flooding, but neighboring homes were “buried.”
A Category 5 hurricane, Hurricane Otis, has left Acapulco in disarray, with a 58-year-old woman, Rufina Ruiz, finding optimism amid the wreckage
The city of 1 million, characterized by a mix of opulent hotels, impoverished suburbs, tourism, and drug violence, grapples with recovery weeks after Category 5 hurricane Otis escalated rapidly from a tropical storm to an Order 5 hurricane in just 12 hours.
Cars traverse the city’s main streets, revealing scenes of rubble and fallen palm trees, while signs proclaim “free food,” and long queues form for essential supplies. Wealthy residents, having evacuated ahead of Category 5 hurricane Otis, now return to assess the damage to their seaside properties.
Soldiers and National Guard troops dominate the streets, outnumbering palm trees. Complaints arise regarding the lack of information from authorities about the impending Category 5 hurricane, leaving residents uninformed.
Despite the federal government declaring an end to the emergency and unveiling a $3.4 billion reconstruction plan, disparities persist. Neighborhoods remain without power, residents grapple with health risks, and communal efforts to clear debris and create paths encounter obstacles.
The aftermath reveals significant losses, with at least 48 reported deaths and extensive damage to the city’s tourism-dependent infrastructure
While the government claims service restoration, some areas dispute this, criticizing the perceived lack of urgency.
Amidst the chaos, stories of collective hysteria emerge, with residents recalling gunshots and screams in the early days after the Category 5 hurricane hit. Yet, gestures of solidarity emerge, such as community kitchens and private citizens providing aid.
Amid adversity, positive moments surface, like teenagers flying kites without the hindrance of wires. Acapulco, grappling with the aftermath of this Category 5 hurricane, navigates uneven recovery, seeking support and guidance for a resilient rebuild.
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