Hurricane Milton live updates: Thousands flee Category 5 storm that could be ‘most destructive’ in Florida history

Milton restrengthened into a Category 5 hurricane late on Tuesday afternoon as it moved closer to western Florida.

Evacuations and other preparations should be completed today, the National Hurricane Center urged, warning that Milton could be “one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida .”

Governor Ron DeSantis warned Floridians that “time is running out” for them to evacuate.

“You may have a window where it may be safe, but you may not,” he said. “So, use today as your day to finalise and execute the plan that is going to protect you and your family.”

His warning comes after Tampa Mayor Jane Castor told CNN on Monday that residents will die if they don’t evacuate as Milton races towards the state’s west coast.

Hurricane Helene , which recently devastated parts of the state, was a “wake-up call,” she said. Milton could be “literally catastrophic,” Castor added.

Milton has sustained winds 165mph. It is expected to be “a dangerous major hurricane” when it makes landfall on the west coast of Florida on Wednesday night.