Hurricane Milton made a significant impact on the Florida Gulf Coast, particularly evident in the damage to Tropicana Field, the home of Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays. The Category 3 storm, which hit land on Wednesday night, tore off sections of the stadium’s roof, originally designed in the 1990s to withstand hurricane-force winds.
In the days leading up to the storm, Tropicana Field served as a staging area for emergency crews and first responders. Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries, although images and videos showcasing the severity of the damage circulated widely on social media.
Additionally, Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, which hosts the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, experienced flooding on its turf due to Hurricane Milton.
Tropicana Field has been facing an uncertain future, with plans for a new park under construction nearby. Here are some details regarding the stadium and its history:
Tropicana Field experienced severe roof damage from Hurricane Milton, as shown in various social media posts. Reports indicated that panels of the roof were completely blown off, leaving the interior exposed.
Fortunately, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue confirmed that everyone inside the stadium was safe, with no injuries reported. The stadium was being used as a base camp for emergency responders, equipped with rows of empty cots. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Tropicana Field would serve as a base camp for up to 10,000 personnel involved in debris cleanup and response efforts, though it was not functioning as a shelter.
Located in St. Petersburg, Florida, Tropicana Field is about 20 miles from downtown Tampa, separated by the I-92 bridge. Initially opened in 1990 under the name Florida Suncoast Dome, the stadium underwent several name changes, including ThunderDome in 1993. It has hosted various events, including the NCAA men’s basketball Final Four in 1999, where Connecticut claimed its first national title.
The roof of Tropicana Field is constructed from six acres of translucent, Teflon-coated fiberglass, designed to withstand winds of up to 115 mph. According to meteorologists, sustained winds of 84 mph were recorded on Anna Maria Island, with gusts reaching 106 mph.
As the home field for the Tampa Bay Rays since their inception in 1998, Tropicana Field also hosted the first two games of the 2008 World Series and made its mark in the 2020 World Series, which was relocated due to the pandemic.
Plans are in place for the Rays to move to a new $1.3 billion stadium next door after the 2027 season, with Tropicana Field set for demolition in 2028.
Furthermore, Raymond James Stadium, home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, reported flooding from Hurricane Milton. The Buccaneers had already left for their game in New Orleans earlier in the week. The University of South Florida Bulls are also scheduled to play a home game there against Memphis, which was moved from Friday evening to Saturday afternoon.