When the sky darkened and the wind was howling, at the beginning of October, Florida took the feeling of restlessness.
Hurricane Milton, the power of nature, initially feared that it was a storm of category five storm, heading directly to the state. When people rushed to evacuate their homes, some found refuge in places that were considered to be built strong enough to endure the storm’s fury.
But no one could anticipate how the most enriched structures would test the unprecedented power of Milton. Among the affected people was the Tropicana Field, a beloved monument in Tampa Bay, which was despite its design to endure extreme weather, remained seriously damaged.
The stadium, once a safe refuge for thousands, became a symbol of the raw power of nature because its roof was torn by wild winds.
Tropicana Field faces serious damage from Hurricane Milton
Tropicana Field, Tampa Bay stadium, designed to protect 10,000 people, suffered significant structural damage when Hurricane Milton caused Landfall. The storm, which hit part of Florida on October 9, forced the inhabitants to evacuate their homes in preparation for its arrival.
Milton was initially classified as a Category 5 hurricane, and at the time it reached Florida, it weakened to a storm of Category storm. Although it is not as strong as originally expected, the hurricane still caused extensive devastation and significant damage along its path.
Tropicana Field, Home Tampa Bay Rays, was one of many affected places. The stadium was used as a shelter for approximately 10,000 inhabitants when part of its vaulted roof was detached due to hurricane wind. Despite the damage to the roof, the metal frame of the stadium remains intact.
The stadium, which is known to have the largest roof supported by a cable roof, is designed to withstand the wind up to 115 km / h. However, Milton’s winds reportedly reached up to 120 mph, exceeding the structural limits of the roof. The roof is supported by 180 million cables connected by struts, according to ABC News.
Fortunately, individuals seeking refuge inside Tropican Field were reported to be safe. Captain Garth Swingle of St. Petersburg Fire Rescue confirmed that communication with those at the stadium was established.
The view from our window as we ride out the storm. The roof of Tropicana Field is destroyed by the winds of #HurricaneMilton. Praying for Tampa Bay and all areas affected. Stay safe, everyone pic.twitter.com/uy0aNGMAuJ
— Dave Moore (@DaveMoore_83) October 10, 2024
The shots of the stadium, which was beaten by a hurricane, spread online, with one video showing that parts of the roof whipped through the wind. Twitter user shared a clip and wrote: “The roof of Tropicana Field is destroyed by winds # hurricaneMilton. Pray for Tampa Bay and all affected areas. Stay safe, all.”
When Hurricane Milton made Landfall as a storm of category 3, it caused more than 1 million power outages. To 10:00 EDT, the storm intensity was reduced to category 2.
When the storm went through, the survivors shared their dramatic experiences. “The cement bench flew from the roof of the neighboring hotel and crashed beside me,” Matthew Cappucci recalled from Sarasota in Florida on the BBC. “There were traffic lights in the wind, and there were pieces of people flying around me.
conclusion
Hurricane Milton, although not as intense as he originally feared, still left a trail of destruction in his furrow, and Tropicana Field is one of the most important victims. The stadium, which served as a shelter for thousands, saw its massive roof torn by strong wind and emphasized the power of the storm. Fortunately, those who were looking for refuge at the stadium were confirmed that they were safe, despite frightening conditions.
The impact of Milton on Florida was deep, with more than a million current outages and widespread infrastructure damage. As the effort to recover continues, the storm serves as a sharp reminder of the destructive power of nature and the importance of preparation in the face of such disasters. Our thoughts remain with all the affected people as they begin a long process of reconstruction of their lives.