For other storms of the same name, see List of storms named Otis.
Hurricane Otis
Otis at peak intensity nearing landfall in Guerrero early on October 25
Meteorological history
Formed
October 22, 2023
Dissipated
October 25, 2023
Category 5 major hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds
165 mph (270 km/h)
Lowest pressure
922 mbar (hPa); 27.23 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities
≥52[nb 1]
Missing
≥32[nb 1]
Damage
$12–16 billion (Costliest in the East Pacific; costliest in Mexican history)
Areas affected
Southern Mexico (especially Guerrero)
[2]
Part of the 2023 Pacific hurricane season
Hurricane Otis was a compact but very powerful tropical cyclone which made a devastating landfall in October 2023 near Acapulco as a Category 5 hurricane. Otis was the first Pacific hurricane to make landfall at Category 5 intensity and surpassed Hurricane Patricia as the strongest landfalling Pacific hurricane on record. The resulting damage made Otis the costliest tropical cyclone to strike Mexico on record. The fifteenth tropical storm, tenth hurricane, eighth major hurricane,[nb 2] and second Category 5 hurricane of the 2023 Pacific hurricane season, Otis originated from a disturbance several hundred miles south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec. Initially forecast to stay offshore and to only be a weak tropical storm at peak intensity, Otis instead underwent explosive intensification to reach peak winds of 165 mph (270 km/h) and weakened only slightly before making landfall as a powerful Category 5 hurricane. Once inland, the hurricane quickly weakened before dissipating the following day.
Making landfall just west of Acapulco, Otis's powerful winds severely damaged many of the buildings in the city. Landslides and flooding resulted from heavy rain. Communication was heavily cut off, initially leaving information about the hurricane's impact largely unknown. In the aftermath, the city had no drinking water and many residents also lost power. The government of Guerrero mobilized thousands of military members to aid survivors and assist in recovery efforts. Thousands of recovery items were sent out to those affected and donations were sent out to each of the affected families.
The hurricane caused at least 52 deaths and left 32 others missing. Total damage from Otis was estimated to be billions of dollars (2023 USD), with several agencies estimating $12–16 billion in damage, making it the costliest Mexican hurricane, surpassing Hurricane Wilma.[2] Due to the devastating impact of the storm on Mexico, the name Otis was retired and replaced with Otilio for the 2029 season.
^Cite error: The named reference deathtoll was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ abReinhart, Brad; Reinhart, Amanda (March 7, 2024). "Hurricane Otis – Tropical Cyclone Report (EP182023)" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. University Park, Florida, United States: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. pp. 1–39. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 7, 2024. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
^"Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale". National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on June 20, 2020. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
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