Hurricane Milton has caused significant damage to Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, as high winds from the Category 3 storm battered the facility on Wednesday. Social media posts revealed that much of the fabric covering the stadium’s domed roof was torn away.
The stadium in St. Petersburg has been designated as a staging area for first responders and emergency management teams involved in debris cleanup, with provisions made to accommodate 10,000 people, including cots placed on the playing surface.
Capt. Garth Swingle of St. Petersburg Fire Rescue confirmed that the individuals inside the stadium are safe, although it remains unclear if any damage occurred within the venue.
The stadium features a roof made of ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), a lightweight polymer noted for its strength, which exceeds that of glass. The metal frame of the roof appeared unaffected by the storm.
According to the Rays, Tropicana Field was designed to endure winds up to 115 mph, supported by 180 miles of cables and struts, making it claim to the title of “world’s largest cable-supported domed roof.” Opened in 1990 and originally costing $138 million, the stadium is slated to be replaced by a $1.3 billion ballpark in time for the 2028 season.
St. Petersburg received more than 16 inches of rain from the storm, leading the National Weather Service to issue flash flood warnings. Milton was downgraded to a Category 2 storm shortly after landfall, with maximum sustained winds of approximately 105 mph, and storm surge warnings affecting regions along Florida’s Gulf and Atlantic coastlines.
Due to concerns about the storm, the NBA canceled the preseason game scheduled for Friday in Orlando between the Magic and the New Orleans Pelicans. The Magic, who played in San Antonio on Wednesday, will now delay their return to central Florida for an extra day.
Additionally, the NFL’s Jaguars adjusted their travel plans to London by postponing their departure from Jacksonville until later Thursday evening, while also pushing back their practice schedule.
Numerous college and high school sports events across Florida have been either canceled or postponed due to the severe weather forecasted to affect the state with heavy rainfall.