Hurricane Eta rapidly intensified Monday into a strong category 4 storm that could strengthen to a Category 5 before it hits Nicaragua today, with rain expected to be measured in feet rather than inches. As of 7:00 a.m. the National Hurricane Center reported maximum sustained winds of 145 mph, 30 miles southeast of Puerto Cabezas. Eta is pushing a storm surge of up to 15 feet and will inundate remote northeastern Nicaragua, a flood-prone region home to many Indigenous communities. Approximately 3,000 families have already been evacuated. In the Honduran coastal city of Tela, heavy rains from the storm have already overflowed two rivers, and trapping 12 people, including two newborns, in the community of San Luis in Olanchito, Yoro. Climate change is making hurricane storm surges even higher and causing storms to rapidly intensify more frequently. Higher sea surface temperatures also fuel storms’ power and hotter air holds more moisture, which leads to increased rainfall. Washington Post $, AP, New York Times $, Miami Herald, CNN, The Verge, La Prensa NI (es), La Prensa HN (es), Prensa Libre (es); Commentary: Prensa Libre (es); Climate Signals background: Climate Signals background: Hurricanes, 2020 Atlantic hurricane season)