Hurricane Otis: Category 5 storm effects and cascading hazards in Acapulco Bay, Mexico

Hurricane Otis, a Category 5 storm, made landfall in Acapulco, Mexico, on October 25, 2023, with sustained winds of 270 km/h and wind gusts up to 330 km/h. Its unprecedented rapid intensification, attributed to record-high sea surface temperatures, marked it as the strongest storm to hit the region in the satellite era. This study documents the geomorphic, infrastructural, and socio-political impacts of the event, highlighting extensive coastal erosion, sediment deposition, and cascading hazards such as landslides and flooding. Coastal changes included severe beach erosion, overwash effects, and delta formation. Notably, beaches like Revolcadero experienced erosion exceeding 76 meters, while scoured channels and widened tidal inlets transformed coastal geomorphology. Beyond physical alterations, the hurricane caused widespread infrastructure damage, displacing over 34,500 families and affecting more than 560,000 residents. Economic losses are estimated at over $15 billion USD, with significant impacts on hotels, residential buildings, transportation networks, and commercial establishments. The event revealed substantial gaps in disaster preparedness, as limited warnings and delayed responses worsened the socio-economic impact. Stagnant water and poor sanitation caused disease outbreaks, while inadequate aid distribution highlighted systemic inequities. The findings stress the urgent need for better disaster management, including early warning systems, equitable aid, and climate adaptation to address escalating risks from extreme weather intensified by climate change. By examining the geomorphic, infrastructural, and socio-political consequences of Hurricane Otis, this study emphasizes the necessity of proactive resilience measures to mitigate the long-term risks posed by such unprecedented cascading hazards. • Hurricane Otis was the strongest storm to hit Acapulco, with 270 km/h winds. • The storm caused >76 m beach erosion, scoured channels, and coastal reshaping. • Otis triggered cascading hazards, including flooding, landslides, and vegetation loss. • Economic losses topped $15 billion USD, displacing 34,500 families and affecting many. • Findings stress urgent need for climate adaptation, prevention, and disaster resilience strategies.