Tropicana Field, a stadium with a capacity of 10,000 located in Tampa Bay, has experienced extensive structural damage due to Hurricane Milton.
The Impact of Hurricane Milton
On October 9, Hurricane Milton struck various regions in Florida, prompting many residents to evacuate their homes ahead of the storm’s arrival. Initially classified as a category five hurricane, it weakened to a category three by the time it made landfall.
Damage Assessment at Tropicana Field
Despite its initial classification as an extremely powerful storm and the subsequent downgrade upon landfall, Hurricane Milton still caused widespread destruction across affected areas. The beloved home of the Tampa Bay Rays was not spared from this devastation.
During the hurricane’s onslaught, Tropicana Field served as an emergency shelter for approximately 10,000 individuals seeking refuge from the severe weather conditions. Unfortunately, part of its iconic domed roof was ripped away by fierce winds that reached speeds exceeding those for which the structure was designed; while built to endure gusts up to 115 mph, reports indicated wind speeds during Milton reached around 120 mph.
The Structure and Safety Measures
Tropicana Field boasts what is recognized as one of the largest cable-supported domed roofs globally—constructed with over 180 miles of cables interlinked through struts. Although sections were torn away during Hurricane Milton’s assault,the main metal framework remains intact.
Status Update on Shelter Residents
Captain Garth Swingle from St. Petersburg Fire Rescue confirmed that communication with those sheltered inside has been maintained and they are reported safe amidst these challenging circumstances.
Anecdotes from Witnesses
The ferocity of Hurricane Milton has led many local residents to share their experiences online. One individual recounted witnessing debris flying through the air: “A cement bench flew off a nearby hotel roof and landed right next to me,” said Matthew Cappucci from Sarasota when speaking with BBC News. “Traffic lights were being tossed about like toys; it felt like one of the most intense hurricanes I’ve ever encountered.”
“The view outside our window while we weathered out this storm,” shared another Twitter user alongside footage showing parts of Tropicana Field’s roof being violently whipped by winds during #HurricaneMilton.”
The Aftermath and Ongoing Recovery Efforts
The aftermath left over a million households without power , highlighting just how impactful this natural disaster was on local infrastructure.
By late evening (EDT), assessments downgraded Hurricane Milton’s status further down to category two but not before leaving behind significant challenges for recovery efforts across affected communities.
