MEXICO CITY – Hurricane Otis, a Category 5 storm, has caused widespread devastation in various parts of Mexico. The powerful hurricane made landfall on Mexico’s southern coast, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. As of Thursday afternoon, the death toll stands at 27.

Joseph Namlick, a construction manager from South Carolina, was attending a mining convention in Acapulco when the hurricane struck. He found himself trapped in his hotel room, waking up to an inch of water. Namlick and other visitors were stranded in the popular seaside resort city as they waited for the storm to pass.

The rapid intensification of Hurricane Otis caught many off guard. Phil Klotzbach, a meteorologist from Colorado State University, stated that the storm’s intensification rate in the eastern Pacific was the fastest in 57 years. The hurricane’s strength and ferocity caused extensive damage, tearing off roofs, uprooting trees, and flooding the streets.

Those attending the convention sought refuge inside the convention center, enduring the strong winds and rain. Namlick was fortunate to return to his hotel room where the staff advised guests to stay indoors and keep the sliding glass doors closed. The hotel provided food and water throughout the night as the storm raged.

Power outages occurred shortly after midnight, and the strongest winds hit around 1 a.m. Namlick took precautions, using chairs to secure the shutters of his balcony doors. While he managed to find some rest in the bathroom, he described the experience as difficult due to the severity of the storm.

In the aftermath of the hurricane, Namlick reunited with his colleagues and together they made their way to a nearby supermarket where they waited for over four hours for essential supplies. Buses eventually arrived to transport people to Mexico City, where they could find safety and assistance.

The impact of Hurricane Otis has been severe, leaving behind significant damage and loss of life. Mexico is now facing the immense task of recovery and rebuilding in the affected areas. The full extent of the damage is yet to be determined, but the resilience of the communities affected will undoubtedly come to the fore as they begin to rebuild their lives.

Note: The original article did not provide a specific location in Mexico for the mining convention, so the introduction has been adjusted to reflect that. The article has been rewritten in AP News Style, ensuring that no phrases or sentences are copied directly from the original source.