The first anniversary of Hurricane Otis is celebrated this Friday in Mexico, where it broke the record for intensification for a cyclone in the Pacific, causing nearly 70 deaths and devastating Acapulco. The hurricane surprised the population and left material and human damages that have not yet been fully recovered.
Anastacia Fierro, a resident of the Luces del Mar neighborhood in Acapulco, lost her 23-year-old eldest son during the passage of Otis. Despite efforts to rebuild, thousands of residents like her continue to face difficulties. The Mexican Association of Insurance Institutions reported that the damages amounted to billions of pesos, positioning Otis as one of the most costly hurricanes in the history of Mexico.
A year after the tragedy, Fierro reveals that the loss of her son is a pain that does not diminish and that her efforts to recover are hindered by a lack of resources and the high cost of construction materials. Despite having been relocated, her greatest wish is to have her son back.
In addition to the devastation caused by Otis, Acapulco recently suffered the unexpected impact of Hurricane John in September, which has worsened the situation in the region. Residents like Freddy MartÃnez Pastrana are still left homeless and in need of relocation after losing their homes and loved ones.
Nature's relentless force has left emotional and material scars in Acapulco, where residents continue to face fear and uncertainty about the possibility of future natural disasters. Despite reconstruction efforts and government assistance, the community continues to struggle to fully recover from the double tragedy that has marked their lives.
