Hurricane Milton has caused significant damage to Tropicana Field, the home of the Tampa Bay Rays, particularly to its roof, which was severely impacted by the storm’s high winds. Making landfall on Wednesday as a Category 3 hurricane along the Gulf Coast of Florida, social media images revealed that most of the fabric covering the domed roof had been torn off.
Captain Garth Swingle of St. Petersburg Fire Rescue confirmed to ABC News that the individuals inside the stadium were safe, though it remains unclear if there was any interior damage. Fortunately, no injuries at the stadium were reported. Earlier in the week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced plans for the stadium to be used as a “temporary base camp” to assist with debris cleanup and to house some first responders, with the capacity to accommodate 10,000 people on cots arranged on the playing surface. However, these plans were altered as the storm approached, raising concerns about the stability of the roof.
DeSantis stated during a news conference on Thursday morning that the roof, designed to withstand winds of up to 110 mph, did not hold up against Milton’s intensity. Consequently, the decision was made to relocate personnel and resources to ensure safety.
The roof of Tropicana Field is constructed from ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), which is stronger than glass yet much lighter. Reports indicate that the metal framework of the stadium was unaffected by the storm. Built in 1990 for $138 million, the stadium is set to be replaced with a $1.3 billion facility by the 2028 season.
While DeSantis described Milton as a significant storm, he noted it was not the worst-case scenario, with the most severe storm surge occurring in Sarasota County, where it reached 8 to 10 feet. He added that authorities would assess the overall damage as the situation developed.
Although the much-feared storm surge for Tampa did not materialize, the city experienced substantial flooding, with St. Petersburg recording over 16 inches of rain, prompting the National Weather Service to issue flash flood warnings for that locale and other parts of western and central Florida.
After making landfall, the hurricane was downgraded to a Category 2 storm about 90 minutes later, with maximum sustained winds of approximately 105 mph, while storm surge warnings remained active for sections of Florida’s Gulf and Atlantic coastlines.
As a precaution, Friday’s NBA preseason game in Orlando between the Magic and the New Orleans Pelicans was canceled due to the impending storm. The Magic were scheduled to return from a game in San Antonio but will now extend their stay in Texas for an additional day.
In the NFL, the Jacksonville Jaguars adjusted their travel plans to London, delaying their departure from Jacksonville to later in the evening and rescheduling practice activities. Numerous college and high school sporting events across Florida have also been canceled or postponed in light of the storm’s anticipated heavy rainfall.