- Milton made landfall as a Category 3 storm on Wednesday night, and was downgraded to a Category 2 storm 90 minutes later
- Tropicana Field had been set up to host 10,000 people including first responders and emergency services
- Sustained winds of 105mph have hit Florida’s Gulf and Atlantic coastlines, with storm surge warnings in effect
As Hurricane Milton made landfall in the Tampa Bay area of Florida on Wednesday night (October 9th), one of the most shocking sights of devastation caused by the storm was at Tropicana Field baseball stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Rays.
Footage shared online shows how Milton has torn apart the roof of The Trop, which was to be used to house up to 10,000 people, including first responders and state and local emergency management services. Cots had been set up on the field, which is now scattered with debris from the roof’s destruction.
The St. Petersburg ballpark has a roof made from thylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), a polymer that’s stronger than glass but, crucially, significantly lighter. The steel framework of the roof appeared to be unscathed in footage shown from the area.
Milton initially made landfall as a Category 3 storm, but was downgraded to a Category 2 around 90 minutes later. However, as you can see from the footage above, the damage done has already been substantial and costly.
Capt. Garth Swingle of St. Petersburg Fire Rescue told ABC News that contact had been made with people who were inside the stadium and confirmed that they were safe.
The National Weather Service has warned of flash flooding in the Tampa Bay Area, with 16 inches of rainfall recorded in St. Petersburg. Milton had sustained winds of 105mph, leading to storm surge warnings being put into effect for Florida’s Gulf and Atlantic coastlines.
The Florida National Guard confirmed that the guardsmen inside Tropicana Field were moved to Ocala on Wednesday before Milton made groundfall in the area.
A spokesperson for the Tampa Bay Rays told ABC News, “No first responders were being staged at Tropicana Field and the essential personnel that were there are all accounted for and safe. Teams will be assessing the situation more when it is safe to do so.”
(h/t ABC Action News)
