Author(s): Rodolfo Ramirez Xicotencatl; Francisco J. Molina Gachuzo; Manuel Mendoza Grande; Karina G. Ocana Espinosa De Los Monteros
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Keywords: Hurricane; Storm surge; Rapid intensification
Abstract: According to NOAA's National Hurricane Center, Otis is the strongest hurricane ever recorded to make landfall in the Mexican Pacific in the last 40 years. Initial projections indicated that it would be a tropical storm, however, Otis experienced rapid intensification (RI) and reached maximum wind speeds of 145 knots. Among the consequences of Otis' passage through Acapulco are 50 deaths, 60 missing persons, 835 sunken vessels and economic losses estimated at US$15 billion. Therefore, this work was aimed at determining, through numerical models, the sea level rise, wave and current characteristics that impacted the port of Acapulco. The results indicate in general that waves of 4.95 m to 11.23 m arrived at the beach front and inside of Acapulco Bay, the sea level rise due to the storm surge was 0.77 m, and currents of 0.26 to 0.45 m/s were generated.
Year: 2024