Hurricane Milton's wrath was felt at the Tampa Bay Rays' home stadium, Tropicana Field, where powerful winds nearly destroyed the entire roof, leaving the stadium in a state of disrepair.
As Hurricane Milton unleashed its fury upon Tampa Bay on Wednesday night, one of the most iconic landmarks in the region, Tropicana Field, found itself at the mercy of the storm's relentless winds. The stadium, home to the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team, suffered catastrophic damage, with its massive roof nearly being torn off its moorings.
Hurricane Milton Tears Through Tampa Bay, Ripping Off Tropicana Field Roof
Eyewitnesses reported seeing large sections of the roof detaching from the stadium and fluttering in the wind, carried away by the hurricane's gusts. As dawn broke, the extent of the damage became apparent, with the stadium's interior exposed to the elements.
The Rays organization was left devastated by the destruction. "It's heartbreaking to see our home in this state," said Rays President Brian Auld. "This is a facility that means so much to our team, our fans, and the entire Tampa Bay community."
The stadium's iconic dome, which had been a distinctive feature of the St. Petersburg skyline, was shredded, leaving behind a skeletal framework. The outfield seating was also heavily damaged, with chairs and bleachers strewn across the field.
The Rays have been forced to cancel their upcoming homestand, scheduled to begin on Thursday, as they assess the damage and begin the long and arduous process of rebuilding. "We are committed to getting Tropicana Field back up and running as soon as possible," Auld said. "It will be a challenging task, but we will not rest until the stadium is restored to its former glory."
Meanwhile, the Rays are exploring alternative venues for their remaining home games, including potentially playing some games at the spring training complex in Port Charlotte.
The damage to Tropicana Field is not just a blow to the Rays organization but also to the entire Tampa Bay community. The stadium has been a gathering place for sports fans, families, and visitors for over two decades.
"Tropicana Field is more than just a stadium," said St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman. "It's a symbol of our city and our region. We will work closely with the Rays organization to rebuild the stadium and ensure that it continues to be a source of pride for our community."
The Rays are hopeful that Tropicana Field can be repaired by the end of the season, but it remains unclear when the stadium will be fully operational again. In the meantime, the team and the community will have to come together to heal from this devastating blow.
