A day after Hurricane Otis slammed into Acapulco, the resort city of nearly 1 million people has descended into chaos. The lack of basic communication has made it impossible to assess the toll inflicted by the Category 5 storm. Preliminary images and accounts show extensive devastation, with toppled trees and power lines lying in floodwaters that stretch for miles. Many of the once sleek beachfront hotels in Acapulco now resemble toothless, shattered hulks, as the storm blew out hundreds, possibly thousands, of windows.

The destruction caused by the hurricane has delayed a comprehensive response from the government, which is still assessing the damage along Mexico's Pacific coast. Residents are growing desperate as they remain without electricity or internet service. While some 10,000 military troops have been deployed to the area, they lack the necessary tools to clear the streets of tons of mud and fallen trees. The government electricity company has sent hundreds of trucks to Acapulco, but they are faced with the challenge of restoring power with downed electricity lines submerged in feet of mud and water.

Residents and tourists who experienced the storm firsthand are expressing their frustration with the authorities. Jakob Sauczuk, who was staying at a beachfront hotel when Otis hit, described the harrowing experience of seeking shelter on the floor and between beds. His friend showed reporters photos of the hotel rooms, which were windowless and shattered, resembling a shredded mass of clothes, beds, and furniture. Sauczuk complained that the hotel provided no warning or safer shelter options.

Pablo Navarro, an auto parts worker, feared for his life as he took refuge in his 13th-floor hotel room. Although the door held, Navarro witnessed other rooms where the wind blew out the windows and doors. The desperation among the residents is evident as they rummage through the muddy store, wrestling with loaded shopping carts, and looting supplies. Many are asking when the government will step in to help the common people.

The destruction caused by Otis has severely impacted the infrastructure of Acapulco. The main highway connecting the city to the state capital and Mexico City was impassable until late Wednesday, hindering the arrival of emergency vehicles, personnel, and supplies. The commercial and military airports in Acapulco are still too damaged to resume flights. Drone footage of the Diamond Zone, an oceanfront area filled with hotels and restaurants, shows the majority of the area submerged underwater, with buildings partially or completely ripped off. People wade through waist-deep water in some areas, while soldiers clear rubble from the streets in other less-flooded areas.

Wednesday night, the city plunged into darkness as there was no phone service. Some individuals were able to use satellite phones provided by the Red Cross to inform their families that they were safe. Alicia Galindo, a stylist in San Luis Potosi, received a call from her family who had been staying in Acapulco during the storm. They described the windows breaking, floors collapsing, and doors falling down. Galindo's boyfriend, who was also attending the conference, has yet to be reached.

The sudden intensification of Hurricane Otis caught many by surprise. The storm rapidly strengthened from a tropical storm to a powerful Category 5 hurricane, wreaking havoc along Mexico's southern Pacific coast. Researchers attribute the storm's record-breaking intensity to climate change. The weakened storm is now moving away from Acapulco, but the damage left behind is extensive.

Acapulco, once a popular tourist destination, has suffered a decline in recent years due to violence caused by organized crime groups. This latest blow from Hurricane Otis may further discourage international tourists from visiting the city, diverting them to other destinations.

As the government works to restore communication, assess the damage, and provide aid, the people of Acapulco are left to pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives. The full extent of the devastation is yet to be determined, but one thing is clear: Acapulco will need significant support to recover from the impact of Hurricane Otis.