The storm threatened to unleash destructive winds near where the eye crashes ashore, flash floods, and a dangerous storm surge.

Forming in October, Otis grew stronger by churning up deeper and warmer water because it was later in the year. Erick is early in the year and the deep water it would churn up is cooler and doesn’t fuel rapid intensification. Even so, the surface water is plenty hot enough, said MIT hurricane scientist Kerry Emanuel.

The storm is expected to bring “life-threatening” rainfall, flooding and storm surges, according to the National Hurricane Center.