TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) - Hurricane Iota began whipping a remote coastal area of Nicaragua with catastrophic winds, storm surges and rain on Monday evening, as the region’s leaders blamed climate change for destruction that is pushing millions closer to hunger.Iota was due to crash through northeastern Nicaragua’s Miskito region overnight, packing maximum sustained winds of 160 miles (260 km) per hour, having reached Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. By 7 p.m. EST, the western edge of the storm’s eye, or the “eyewall” had reached the country, the NHC said. Reuters images showed rain spattering the partially flooded beachside city of Puerto Cabezas on Nicaragua’s coast, and wind rattling the roofs of its one-story buildings. “We’re all scared for our lives,” said Magdalena Bell, who had taken refuge in a local shelter in Puerto Cabezas. Central America and southern Mexico are still reeling from Hurricane Eta, which devastated crops and washed away hillsides after landing near Puerto Cabezas two weeks ago, killing dozens. Many towns are still partially flooded, and the land is waterlogged from the earlier storm.