Hurricane Milton Devastates Tropicana Field

Florida Begins Recovery After Devastating Hit from Hurricane Milton

This morning, Florida is grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, a catastrophic storm that struck the Gulf Coast near Sarasota last night. Millions are without power, and it could take weeks to assess the true extent of the devastation, including the tragic loss of life. One striking image already stands out: Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, lost most of its roof as powerful winds tore through the structure.

Drone footage from WXChasing captures the extent of the damage.

The stadium’s roof, made from fabric over polymer panels (similar to fiberglass), was designed to withstand winds up to 115 mph, according to the Rays’ media guide. However, wind gusts in the area exceeded 100 mph, and the roof began to give way just before 11 p.m. local time. Tropicana Field had been designated as a staging area for first responders and disaster relief workers—not a shelter, as some reports claimed—but the extent of the interior damage, or that to the roof’s metal framework, remains unclear.

Milton is an unprecedented storm—though, worryingly, storms of this magnitude have become more frequent due to human-driven climate change. St. Petersburg saw 8.5 inches of rainfall within three hours, a downpour classified as a "1,000-year event," a statistical reference to its extreme rarity. The storm's violent winds even blew a crane off a tower under construction, severely damaging the offices of the Tampa Bay Times. At one point, winds were so strong they temporarily pushed water out of Tampa Bay in a rare reverse storm surge.

Fortunately, the Tampa Bay area avoided the worst-case scenario. The greatest danger from hurricanes often comes from storm surges, but because Milton’s eye made landfall south of the region, Sarasota County and areas further south bore the brunt of the storm's fury. Communities like Fort Myers and Venice, although smaller and receiving less media attention, likely suffered the worst storm surges and will see the highest death toll.

For those impacted by the storm, the Tampa Bay Times is offering a list of available resources.