How hurricanes Otis and John exposed Acapulco’s big divide and left residents ‘scared for our lives’

The last two big storms to hit Mexico have left the city vulnerable to organised crime and in fear of the next climate shockFlora Montejo always dreamed of buying her own home. After almost three decades working as a nurse, the 68-year-old invested her retirement savings in a two-storey house in San Agustín, a working-class suburb of the Mexican resort town of Acapulco.Montejo’s retirement dream was shortlived. Not long after moving into her newly remodelled home, Hurricane John dumped record levels of rainfall on Acapulco, triggering landslides and flash floods after calm creeks turned into roaring rivers. Continue reading...

Mar 30, 2025 - 14:08
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How hurricanes Otis and John exposed Acapulco’s big divide and left residents ‘scared for our lives’

The last two big storms to hit Mexico have left the city vulnerable to organised crime and in fear of the next climate shock

Flora Montejo always dreamed of buying her own home. After almost three decades working as a nurse, the 68-year-old invested her retirement savings in a two-storey house in San Agustín, a working-class suburb of the Mexican resort town of Acapulco.

Montejo’s retirement dream was shortlived. Not long after moving into her newly remodelled home, Hurricane John dumped record levels of rainfall on Acapulco, triggering landslides and flash floods after calm creeks turned into roaring rivers. Continue reading...