Tropical storm Manuel has left the historical port of Acapulco, and large part of the state of Guerrero [1], completely flooded and isolated [2] [es].
Acapulco is one of the country's most important tourist destinations. Currently, 40,000 tourists are trapped waiting for the exit routes to reopen. Additionally, 34 deaths and thousands of victims have been reported. Authorities have asked for “patience” from the population that finds itself waiting for help.
The Sol and federal highways linking to Mexico City are closed due to landslides and mudslides. On the other hand, the local airport is closed due to flooding of their facilities as well as electrical system failures.
The mayor of Acapulco, Luis Walton Aburto, said [2] [es]:
“Hoy consideramos que el 50% de las colonias de Acapulco están inundadas y sigue lloviendo. Para llegar al área Diamante hay lugares que tienen hasta tres y cuatro metros de agua y no se puede ingresar, además de la corriente que impide transitar. Se está comenzando a pasar alimento por carros militares y helicópteros”
Today we believe that 50% of the colonies of Acapulco are flooded and it continues to rain. To get to the Diamante area, there are places that have up to three and four meters of water and entry is impossible, in addition to the current that prevents movement. Food is starting to be transported via military vehicles and helicopters.
Here we share some of the tweets and photographs from users asking for help, providing information, or indicating the poor urban planning of the port and the state of Guerrero, and its consequences.
Construyeron sobre pantanales, selvas y dunas y ahora pagan el precio El Princess Aca. pic.twitter.com/XYlQtE9xow [3]@alconsumidor [4]@roblesmaloof [5]
— Espejored (@Espejored) September 17, 2013 [6]
They built on wetlands, forests, and dunes, and now they are paying the price.
Solo imaginense que si así está Acapulco, que tiene la infraestructura menos jodida de Guerrero, cómo estarán otras comunidades.
— Metamorfa (@pulgarebelde) September 16, 2013 [7]
Just imagine how other communities will be if this is what Acapulco, whose infrastructure is less messed up than that of Guerrero, is like.
#Acapulco [8] está devastado, 41 municipios inundados. Acopio Cruz Roja Polanco pic.twitter.com/qzo8PLvoeo [9] vía @YoSoyRed_ [10]#AcapulcoNoEstásSolo [11]
— Jesús Robles Maloof (@roblesmaloof) September 16, 2013 [12]
Acapulco is devastated, 41 towns flooded.
“@rahelA2guzman [13]: @puigcarlos [14] Qué bueno q la gente quiere a Acapulco! @alondradlp [15] pic.twitter.com/9ynaLBFzdJ [16]”
— Alondra de la Parra (@alondradlp) September 17, 2013 [17]
How great that people love Acapulco!
Me informan que hay personas atrapadas en la COLOSIO ayúdenos con palas, picos, cinceles, marro #ACAPULCO [18]#Acafollow [19]#URGENTE [20]
— Irving López (@irving_lopez) September 17, 2013 [21]
I'm being told that there are people trapped in the COLOSIO help us with shovels, picks, chisels, hammers
#URGE [22] repelentes, pañales, medicamentos, alimentos para las 1500 personas refugiadas en la COLOSIO #Acapulco [8] dejarlas en puerto marques RT
— Irving López (@irving_lopez) September 17, 2013 [23]
We need repellents, diapers, medicine, food for the 1500 people taking up shelter in the COLOSIO, Acapulco. Leave them at the marques port RT
#Confirmando [24]#AlMinuto [25] Turistas recibirán noche de lunes gratis en #Acapulco [8], confirma @peraltanet71 [26] , secretario de #Turismo [27] municipal.
— Irving López (@irving_lopez) September 17, 2013 [28]
Confirming, by the minute. Tourists will receive Monday night free in Acapulco, confirms @peraltanet71 [26], Secretary of Municipal Tourism.
@irving_lopez [29] una imagen de los huéspedes, reclamando en el #HotelCalinda [30] #Acapulco [8] (día 16 sep a las 11am aprox) pic.twitter.com/mi5bRwXoRF [31]
— Gerardo Guzman (@gerus9) September 17, 2013 [32]
an image of the guests complaining at the Hotel Calinda in Acapulco (September 16 at 11am approximately)
Others simply want to show the world the devastation that “Manuel” left behind not only in Acapulco but in the entire state of Guerrero [33] [es].
Aspectos de la carretera federal a #Acapulco [8], a la altura de Petaquillas, que se encuentra cerrada. pic.twitter.com/cKGgbT3G4n [34]
— FOROtv (@Foro_TV) September 16, 2013 [35]
The federal highway to Acapulco, at the height of Petaquillas, which is closed.
mar y los ríos ya se unieron en la zona de La Condesa. Foto de la calle del Hotel Emporio. pic.twitter.com/tVwDbGJjEP [36]”
— NOTICIAS Y POLITIK (@NPOLITIK) September 17, 2013 [37]
the sea and the rivers now united in the La Condesa zone. Photo of the street from the Emporio Hotel.
Va ser una noche muy larga para algunos #Chilpancingo [38] #Guerrero [39] @lopezdoriga [40] el poder de la naturaleza pic.twitter.com/XZMuFwEmef [41]
— Jose luis (@jluismz7) September 17, 2013 [42]
It is going to be a very long night for some people @lopezdoriga [40] the power of nature
Aspecto carretera federal tramo #Chilpancingo [38]-Iguala imposibilitada la circulación. Derrumbes en Cañada del Zopilote pic.twitter.com/S90zgcK15G [43]”
— NOTICIAS Y POLITIK (@NPOLITIK) September 17, 2013 [44]
Appearance of the federal highway stretch Chilpancingo-Iguala circulation disabled. Destruction in Cañada del Zopilote
On YouTube, user Freesiithaww Hdezzs [45] shares the following video from Acapulco:
Televisa [46] [es] shares more photographs of the area.
The blog Acapulco Busca [47] [es] is gathering reports of missing and found people in Acapulco.