Long lines have formed outside supermarkets and hardware stores in Acapulco, Mexico, as residents scramble to stock up on food, bottled water, batteries and other emergency supplies ahead of Hurricane Polo. Heavy rain has already begun falling over the Pacific coast resort city, according to local reports.
For many in Acapulco, the scramble feels painfully familiar. In October 2023, Hurricane Otis rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm and slammed into the city with little warning, killing dozens of people and causing billions of dollars in damage to hotels, homes and infrastructure. That disaster exposed gaps in Mexico’s early-warning systems and left many residents distrustful of official forecasts, which is why so many are taking no chances this time around.
Authorities have not yet confirmed Polo’s expected strength or exact landfall location, but the mere possibility of another major hurricane has been enough to trigger mass buying and visible anxiety across the city. Shops report shelves emptying of essentials, while some residents are reinforcing windows and securing important documents in case of evacuation.
If you’d like more details on how Acapulco is preparing and what officials are saying about Polo’s path, you can read the full original report at the link below.
Source: Huella de 'Otis' revive en Acapulco: hacen compras masivas ante el huracán 'Polo' (informador.mx).
Image: NASA Goddard Photo and Video, BY 2.0 (via Openverse).