LATEST UPDATE: Hurricane Milton re-strengthens into Category 5 storm | LiveNOW from FOX

Hurricane Milton has once again re-intensified into a Category 5 storm as it barrels towards the westside of Florida. The storm is projected to hit the Tampa and St. Petersburg area, bringing life-threatening storm surge and flooding, just less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida's Big Bend.

Many Floridians especially those along the Gulf Coast are fleeing the state as the storm barrels towards Florida.

National Hurricane Center Deputy Director Jamie Rhome joins LiveNOW's Christina Evans to share the latest on the storm.

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[dirrckroberts]

Even with it weakening it has already whipped up a category 5 surge 😢

[soniciscool-bejo]

GOD BLESS EVERYONE IN FLORIDA (plus I'm in Florida)

[Darin]

Don't underestimate this storm anybody it's going to be catastrophic. Everybody stay safe and do not underestimate this storm. My prayers are with you Florida. 🙂🙏😇🙏

[hammerk]

RIP FLORIDIANS....Heed the warnings and get out... hopefully you will have something to come back to.

[MrIigmac]

1996: Hurricane Patricia - 215 mph 1969: Hurricane Camille - 190 mph 2019: Hurricane Dorian - 185 mph 2005: Hurricane Wilma - 185 mph 2017: Hurricane Irma - 185 mph 1998: Hurricane Mitch - 180 mph 2005: Hurricane Katrina - 175 mph 2003: Hurricane Isabel - 165 mph 2007: Hurricane Dean - 165 mph 1992: Hurricane Andrew - 165 mph 2018: Hurricane Michael - 160 mph

[mitziwhitt]

Oh Lord this is horrifying lord Jesus i pray you protect your people

[freeheeler]

This storm is exemplifying the 1st Law of Thermodynamics from physics. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it just changes form. In this case, Milton is going to lose wind speed but increase in diameter, spreading its energy and damage over a wider area.

[UncleDavesKitchen]

I keep hearing of evacuation but where should people go? Georgia, south Florida? Where?

[mavispierre]

I live in the Caribbean and I start to get read from the 1st of January. These storms are getting stronger. Begin through 2 cat 5 in 2017.

[SparkyPeaches]

We soon be unburdened by what has been. 😅

[Neil-prrb]

I want to thank FEMA for their tireless and generous support in the last storm. Went they finally were able to gain access, which was heroic in itself, they were angels.

[edwardlondon]

Why have we not been talking about the east coast???

[staceys-okxn]

Prayers are going up. God is in control

[moheganson]

Glad I live in NH

I’ll take the blizzards ❄️

[CarolReidCA]

Please tell people places to get shelter information. A lot of people cannot get out. Thank you!

[lenecharles]

Finally a real meteorologist east coast don’t sleep on this!

[Joe-cbum]

Hurricane Milton: "Goodbye all you people, there's nothing you can say to make me change my mind. Goodbye."

[wandabissell]

write your name on your body if you can't get to real safety

[Bailey-kj]

Hurry, get to Walgreens and take your hurricane vax!

[helenachase]

What it can be, unburdened by what has been