Hurricane Otis caused 27 confirmed deaths and left 4 missing, Mexican authorities report

abcnews.go.com:

Mexico President Andrés Manuel López Obrador says Hurricane Otis was responsible for at least 27 deaths and four people remained missing

ACAPULCO, Mexico — Mexican authorities on Thursday gave the first human toll for Hurricane Otis' destruction along the country's Pacific coast: at least 27 dead and four missing.

Tens of thousands of residents in damaged homes without electricity awaited help more than a day after Otis roared ashore in Acapulco. The municipal water system wasn't functioning, because there was no electricity to run the pumps.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said at his morning news briefing that the deaths occurred around Acapulco, but provided few details. He acknowledged that the government was late in arriving because of the havoc Otis left behind.

López Obrador, who made it into Acapulco late Wednesday, said the destruction was so complete in the impact zone that not a single power line pole remained standing. Outside the city, small farmers had their corn crops devastated by Otis' wind and pounding rain, he said. Restoring power to the area was a top priority, he said.

“We regret the 27 dead,” López Obrador said. The president said Wednesday night that he had been told that the toll was 18, but it rose early Thursday.

“That's what hurts the most,” he said of the deaths, noting material losses could be replaced. “The people sheltered, protected themselves and that’s why fortunately there weren’t more tragedies, loss of human life,” López Obrador said.

López Obrador shared details of only one death: He said one soldier was among the dead after a wall of his home collapsed on him.

The early images and accounts were of extensive devastation, toppled trees and power lines lying in brown