TMZ Live

Joe Francis' fortune wasn't enough to get him out of Mexico in time to escape the wrath of Hurricane Patricia, and now he's stuck staring down the 200 MPH winds ... from a high rise tower.

The "Girls Gone Wild" honcho called into TMZ Live from Puerto Vallarta on Friday morning, and you could already see the storm gathering behind him. Joe told us he was about to take off in a private jet, when the airport was shut down because Patricia was too close.

Now, he's riding out the storm from one of his homes -- and it's hardly an ideal location, considering Patricia is now the most powerful storm ever recorded on the planet.

Vaya con dios, Joe!

HERE'S THE RUNDOWN

"Back to the Future" actress Lea Thompson is pumped up to reunite with her castmates, but bummed about one piece of technology from the movie she just can't get her hands on ... yet.

Lea was on TMZ Live today to help us celebrate "Back to the Future" Day. She was getting ready for Wednesday night's screening of the film's original sequel ... which featured those cool self-lacing shoes.

Nike says it's finally created the kicks in real life, but even though Lea had a starring role as Marty McFly's mother ... she told us the swag hasn't shown up on her doorstep.

Soulja Boy insists his "I'm going to die soon" Snapchat message was not about committing suicide -- it's just that he's lived a full, kick-ass life already ... at 25.

SB was on TMZ Live Friday to clear the air about the troubling social media post ... which caused a a lot of panic among his fans. Soulja thinks people misunderstood him, even though his comment was pretty direct.

Check out his explanation ... sounds like he's struggling with the downside of success and fame.