Thousands Stranded In Acapulco As Hurricane Ingrid And Tropical Storm Manuel Kill At Least 55

The beach city of Acapulco, Mexico, has been thrown into chaos as thousands of tourists are stranded as a result of a massive one-two punch: Hurricane Ingrid and Tropical Storm Manuel. According to Reuters, food is being rationed by hotels amid the destruction of cars and homes in the area. At least 55 people have been killed so far.

As Reuters reports, Acapulco International Airport has been flooded and a crucial access route to the city is blocked with mud, meaning that the estimated 40,000 tourists currently in Acapulco have no way of getting out -- or receiving fresh supplies to help during the ordeal.

According to Reuters, a three-day downpour of rain occurred when Hurricane Ingrid and Tropical Storm Manuel converged from the Pacific and the Gulf, resulting in flash floods and landslides.

At least 55 people are dead in the states of Veracruz, Guerrero, Puebla, Hidalgo, Michoacan and Oaxaca, Reuters reports. Acapulco is in Guerrero, which has the highest number of deaths at 34.

Mario Moreno said the city of Chilpancingo, the capital of Guerrero, has “collapsed.”

"They've started to ration food here," Pedro de la Torre, a 53-year-old graphic designer from Mexico City stranded in Acapulco, told Reuters. "People are starting to get annoyed. I lost two cars, total write-offs."

"The panorama is one of devastation," Alejandro Hernandez, a 40-year-old man stuck in an Acapulco hotel with his wife and 3-year-old daughter, told Reuters.

"The hotel is no longer functioning as a business,” Hernandez added. “The staff is starting to leave. They have closed the front desk, switched off the computers. All they have done is caused panic by saying they are going to start rationing, turn off power and cut water."

According to Reuters, President Enrique Pena Nieto has ordered a census in Guerrero. He’s also instructed the transportation ministry to build an air bridge into Mexico City.

Reuters notes that the state of Guerrero has suffered about 5 billion pesos ($387 million) in damage.