 Heavy rainfall led to severe mudslides and flooding throughout southern Guerrero . Entire communities were nearly destroyed , with some remaining flooded for a week after the hurricane . The flooding washed out or destroyed thousands of acres of crops , and killed thousands of cattle . The flooding and mudslides isolated more than 45 @,@ 000 people from the outside world . The passage of the hurricane resulted in damage to houses , bridges , and electrical and water supply . About 400 mm ( 16 in ) fell in the city in a three @-@ hour span , resulting in rivers overflowing its banks . About 1 @,@ 100 vessels were stranded at port , and 35 ships sunk . Damage to the coffee industry was $ 80 million ( 1997 USD ) . One environmental agency remarked that it will take 15 years for coffee crops to recover . According to one preliminary estimate , 123 people died in Guerrero , primarily in Acapulco . Over 200 were missing by four days after the hurricane due to being washed out to sea or buried in mudslides . A total of 50 @,@ 000 people were left homeless across the state . Striking the week after Tropical Storm Olaf , previously wet grounds combined with heavy rainfall from Pauline resulted in severe mudslides and flash flooding in shanty towns around Acapulco Bay . There , around 5 @,@ 000 homes were destroyed with another 25 @,@ 000 damaged , with 10 @,@ 000 people left homeless in and around the city . The luxury resort hotels near the beach were largely unaffected by the hurricane , though residents in the shanty towns lost what little they had . Much of the city was covered in mud , and 70 percent of Acapulco was without water as a result of the hurricane . Most of the city 's one million residents were left without power or telephone service . Overall , total damage was nearly $ 300 million pesos . 
