Hurricane Otis has killed at least 27 people and at least four more are still missing in Acapulco, Mexico.

The hurricane is the area’s strongest storm on record. Locals were left blindsided as it escalated from tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in just 12 hours.

“The people sheltered, protected themselves and that’s why fortunately there weren’t more tragedies, loss of human life,” Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said.

It hit the tourist destination with winds of 165 miles per hour [266 kph], powerful enough to tear trees up by the roots and flood hospitals, causing hundreds of patients to evacuate.

The storm also damaged power infrastructure in the region causing an estimated 500,000 homes and businesses to lose power.

“In all of Acapulco there is not a standing [electric] pole,” President López Obrador said.

Service has been restored to 40 percent of those who were affected, power utility service CFE said.

The hurricane is expected to be devastating to the economy of Acapulco as the towns economy is heavily reliant on tourism and 80 percent of the city’s hotels had been hit by the storm, Guerrero State Governor Evelyn Salgado said.

“30 to 40 trucks are outside hotels to evacuate (visitors) to other areas free of charge,” she said.

The office of Mexico’s Secretary of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation said the Acapulco International Airport has suspended operations as it recuperates from Otis.

Authorities have said that 8,400 members of Mexico’s army, air force and national guard have been deployed to aid the town in its recovery.

Photo: Acapulco by Meredith P. available HERE and used under a Creative Commons license. This image has not been modified.