Iota diminished to a Category 1 hurricane within hours of its landfall in Nicaragua. Still, as the second strong storm to hit the region in as many weeks, Iota bears grave dangers for residents.

Just two weeks after Hurricane Eta dumped heavy rainfall in the region, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua and southern Belize are facing an even stronger storm fueled by climate change.

Iota, now a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 160 mph, is expected to hit Nicaragua on Monday evening, bringing catastrophic winds, life-threatening storm surge and extreme rainfall.

Although significantly diminished from its status as a Category 4 hurricane when it made landfall, Eta continues to pose a flooding danger, especially to Nicaragua and neighboring Honduras.

The center of the Category 4 storm, packing winds of 145 mph, is moving toward the coast Tuesday morning. It's expected to dump torrential rains in the country's poorest region.

Forecasters say Hurricane Eta is rapidly gaining strength as it churns towards the coast of Nicaragua. The storm is expected to bring life-threatening storm surge, flash flooding and landslides.