Hurricane Milton Causes Major Damage at Tropicana Field
Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, suffered significant damage to its roof due to high winds from Hurricane Milton, which made landfall as a Category 3 storm along Florida's Gulf Coast. Videos and photos on social media showed most of the fabric covering the domed roof ripped away.
Captain Garth Swingle of St. Petersburg Fire Rescue confirmed that everyone inside the stadium is safe, but it is unclear if there was any damage inside. Fortunately, no injuries were reported at the stadium. Earlier in the week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had announced that Tropicana Field would serve as a temporary base camp for debris cleanup and to house first responders. The stadium was prepared to accommodate up to 10,000 people, with cots set up on the playing field.
However, as the storm approached, concerns grew about the roof's ability to withstand the impending winds. DeSantis explained at a Thursday news conference that plans were altered and those slated to stay were relocated due to the storm's severity. The roof of Tropicana Field is designed to withstand winds up to 115 mph, supported by 180 miles of cables and struts.
The roof is made from ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), a lightweight yet strong polymer. While the fabric covering was damaged, the metal frame appeared to be intact. The stadium, which opened in 1990 and cost $138 million to build, is set to be replaced by a new $1.3 billion ballpark by the 2028 season.
DeSantis noted that while Hurricane Milton was significant, it was not the worst-case scenario. The most severe storm surge occurred in Sarasota County, where it reached 8 to 10 feet. He mentioned that the extent of the damage would become clearer as the day progressed. Although the anticipated deadly storm surge for Tampa did not occur, flooding was still a major concern in the area. St. Petersburg recorded over 16 inches of rain, prompting flash flood warnings for parts of western and central Florida.
About 90 minutes after making landfall, Hurricane Milton was downgraded to a Category 2 storm, with sustained winds around 105 mph. Storm surge warnings remained in effect for parts of both the Gulf and Atlantic coastlines of Florida.
The storm's impact also led to the cancellation of several sporting events. The NBA's Orlando Magic postponed their preseason game against the New Orleans Pelicans due to concerns about the storm. The team, which was scheduled to return to central Florida, will now stay an extra day in San Antonio after playing there on Wednesday night.
Similarly, the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars adjusted their travel plans, delaying their departure to London and pushing back their Thursday practice to later in the evening. Numerous college and high school sporting events in Florida have also been canceled or postponed due to the storm's effects, which are expected to bring heavy rainfall across the state.
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