On Thursday, videos and images of Hurricane Milton’s devastation in Florida circulated widely. One particularly striking clip showed Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, losing its roof to the fierce winds.
Now that the sun is up, here’s a 360-degree view of the damage Hurricane Milton caused to Tropicana Field’s roof and the inside of the ballpark. Absolutely heartbreaking 💔 pic.twitter.com/ZCtPHv6rE9
— Ryan Bass (@Ry_Bass) October 10, 2024
The Rays issued a heartfelt statement later that afternoon, expressing their sorrow over the destruction caused by Milton, as well as Hurricane Helene in the previous weeks. They noted, “We are grateful that no injuries occurred despite the extensive damage.” The team emphasized their commitment to supporting the community and encouraged donations to local relief organizations.
The fact that no one was injured is a significant relief given the chaos that ensued when Milton made landfall on Florida’s west coast, wreaking havoc particularly in downtown St. Petersburg.
Related news: Watch: Hurricane Milton Destroys Roof of Tropicana Field.
The last Rays game at Tropicana Field was held on September 22. However, the venue is set for big changes, as a new stadium has been approved in St. Petersburg’s Historic Gas Plant District. Construction is slated to kick off in January 2025, with hopes of welcoming fans by Opening Day 2028.
For now, the damage assessment and repairs at Tropicana Field will need to be prioritized ahead of the 2025 season. Notably, Tropicana Field is the only MLB stadium with a fixed domed roof.
Milton struck the Gulf Coast near Siesta Key shortly after 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, marking the second significant hurricane to hit the area in less than two weeks. The storm left over three million customers without power, and tragically, five fatalities were reported in St. Lucie County, according to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.