The roof of Tropicana Field , home to the Tampa Bay Rays , was severely damaged on Wednesday night as Hurricane Milton battered Florida ’s Gulf Coast. Pieces of the non-retractable roof were seen flapping violently in the storm’s powerful winds. The extent of damage inside the stadium remains unclear at this time, but no injuries were reported, according to WFTS-TV.
Tropicana Field, located in St. Petersburg, was being used as a staging area for workers deployed to assist with storm relief efforts. Rows of cots were set up on the stadium's artificial turf for use by first responders and emergency personnel preparing to handle the storm's aftermath. Despite its critical role in post-hurricane operations, the stadium was not serving as a public shelter during the storm. The stadium, which opened in 1990 and was initially called the Florida Suncoast Dome, is set to be replaced by a new $1.3 billion ballpark by the 2026 season.
The incident occurred after Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 storm at landfall, slammed into Florida on Wednesday evening, bringing winds exceeding 100 mph (160 kph). Milton’s winds reached speeds of around 120 mph before it was downgraded to a Category 2 storm. Although the storm veered away from Tampa, making landfall in Siesta Key, it caused widespread destruction across the region. St. Petersburg, located just 70 miles (112 km) from the landfall site, experienced significant flooding, with over 16 inches (41 cm) of rain recorded.
More than 1.9 million homes and businesses lost power across Florida, with Hardee, Sarasota, and Manatee counties suffering the most outages. In addition to the damage caused by wind and rain, Milton produced several tornadoes before reaching the coast, causing widespread destruction in areas like the Spanish Lakes Country Club, where lives were tragically lost.
As rescue operations continue, officials are assessing the full impact of the storm on critical infrastructure, including Tropicana Field. The stadium, known as the Thunder Dome during the Tampa Bay Lightning’s tenancy from 1993 to 1996, has endured severe weather before, but the damage caused by Milton is unprecedented. Its future use as a recovery hub remains uncertain as authorities focus on immediate relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.
Tropicana Field, located in St. Petersburg, was being used as a staging area for workers deployed to assist with storm relief efforts. Rows of cots were set up on the stadium's artificial turf for use by first responders and emergency personnel preparing to handle the storm's aftermath. Despite its critical role in post-hurricane operations, the stadium was not serving as a public shelter during the storm. The stadium, which opened in 1990 and was initially called the Florida Suncoast Dome, is set to be replaced by a new $1.3 billion ballpark by the 2026 season.
🚨#BREAKING: The Roof of Tropicana Field serving as a shelter for first responders and National Guard troops, is currently being torn off.⁰⁰📌#StPetersburg | #Florida
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) October 10, 2024
Currently, as Hurricane Milton makes landfall as a Category 3 storm, now downgraded to Category 2, Tropicana… pic.twitter.com/J4CpInAaFf
The incident occurred after Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 storm at landfall, slammed into Florida on Wednesday evening, bringing winds exceeding 100 mph (160 kph). Milton’s winds reached speeds of around 120 mph before it was downgraded to a Category 2 storm. Although the storm veered away from Tampa, making landfall in Siesta Key, it caused widespread destruction across the region. St. Petersburg, located just 70 miles (112 km) from the landfall site, experienced significant flooding, with over 16 inches (41 cm) of rain recorded.
More than 1.9 million homes and businesses lost power across Florida, with Hardee, Sarasota, and Manatee counties suffering the most outages. In addition to the damage caused by wind and rain, Milton produced several tornadoes before reaching the coast, causing widespread destruction in areas like the Spanish Lakes Country Club, where lives were tragically lost.
As rescue operations continue, officials are assessing the full impact of the storm on critical infrastructure, including Tropicana Field. The stadium, known as the Thunder Dome during the Tampa Bay Lightning’s tenancy from 1993 to 1996, has endured severe weather before, but the damage caused by Milton is unprecedented. Its future use as a recovery hub remains uncertain as authorities focus on immediate relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.
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