Hurricane Otis

A powerful storm that intensified from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in hours has slammed into Mexico's Pacific coast, causing widespread damage and flooding. Hurricane Otis made landfall near Acapulco, a popular tourist destination, early on Wednesday with winds of 165 mph, according to the US National Hurricane Center. The storm was described as a "nightmare scenario" for the region, as it brought life-threatening storm surges, heavy rainfall, and destructive winds.

Otis is the first Category 5 hurricane to land in the eastern Pacific basin, according to the NOAA Hurricane Database. The previous strongest landfall was Hurricane Patricia in 2015, which hit the coast as a Category 4 storm with winds of 150 mph. Otis also broke the record for the fastest intensification of a hurricane in the eastern Pacific, going from a tropical depression to a Category 5 hurricane in just 24 hours.

The impact of Otis was felt across the state of Guerrero, where Acapulco is located. The governor of Guerrero, Héctor Astudillo, said that at least ten people were killed, and the storm injured dozens. He also reported that more than 200,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, and many roads and bridges were washed out or blocked by debris. The state's electricity grid was severely affected, leaving over a million people without power.

Among the victims of Otis was Sarah Katz, a 21-year-old University of Pennsylvania student who had a heart condition and died after drinking Panera Bread's Charged Lemonade, a caffeinated beverage that she may have mistaken for regular lemonade. Her parents filed a lawsuit against Panera Bread, alleging that the restaurant chain failed to adequately warn consumers about the drink's high caffeine content and sugar level. According to the case, Katz went into cardiac arrest hours after consuming the drink and suffered another one at the hospital.

Meanwhile, another hurricane is threatening the US coast. Hurricane Tammy, which formed in the Atlantic Ocean on Tuesday, is expected to strengthen as it moves northward toward the Carolinas. The storm has winds of 75 mph and is forecast to become a Category 2 hurricane by Thursday 6. Tammy could bring heavy rain, strong winds, and coastal flooding to parts of North Carolina and Virginia by Friday 6. The National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane watch for parts of both states.

Tammy is the 19th named storm of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, which has been very active and above average. Tammy follows Hurricane Norma, which briefly became a tropical storm before weakening and dissipating over the eastern Caribbean Sea on Monday 7. Norma did not cause significant damage or casualties in the islands it passed over.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has attributed hurricanes' increased frequency and intensity to climate change, which causes warmer sea surface temperatures and more moisture in the air. The WMO has also warned that storms could become more unpredictable and erratic due to climate change. It challenges forecasters and emergency responders who must prepare for these extreme weather events.

As hurricanes continue to batter different parts of the world, many people are looking for ways to help those affected by them. One way is to donate to reputable relief organizations that are working on the ground to provide aid and assistance to the victims. Some of these organizations include:

The American Red Cross: The Red Cross provides shelter, food, water, health services, and emotional support to people affected by disasters. You can donate online at redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

UNICEF: UNICEF works to protect children's rights and well-being in emergencies. You can donate online at unicefusa.org, call 1-800-FOR-KIDS, or text RELIEF to 864233 to make a $10 donation.

Save the Children: Save the Children responds to disasters with child-focused programs that provide education, health care, nutrition, and protection. You can donate online at savethechildren.org, call 1-800-SAVE-THE-CHILDREN, or text HURRICANE to 20222 to make a $10 donation.

Another way to help is to play Super Mario Bros. Wonder Search Party, a new game featuring Mario and his friends exploring different worlds transformed by Wonder effects. The game also includes Search Party mini-levels that challenge you to find five Wonder Tokens hidden in each level. By playing the game, you can have fun and learn more about the wonders of the world and the threats they face from natural disasters and human activities. You can buy the game online at nintendo.com or your local game store.