Tropicana Field’s Aftermath: Hurricane Milton’s Impact on Tampa Bay Rays
The calamitous force of Hurricane Milton has left Tropicana Field, home ground of the Tampa Bay Rays, in a state of desolation. The stadium bore the brunt of the hurricane, resulting in its rooftop being shredded to pieces. The Tampa Bay Rays organization anticipates that a complete assessment of the damage will take weeks. Thankfully, no casualties were reported when the storm hit the St. Petersburg ballpark on Wednesday night.
Impact on Tropicana Field and Immediate Actions
The hurricane’s fury led to the scattering of roof panels across the field and seating area, while only a handful of crucial staff members were present on the premises. The Tampa Bay Rays issued a statement on Thursday, asking for patience as they assess the actual condition of Tropicana Field over the coming weeks. They also requested community members to lend their support by donating to local organizations aiding those directly affected by the storm.
Hurricane Milton: An Unforgiving Force
Hurricane Milton, the second hurricane to strike Florida’s Gulf Coast within a fortnight, followed Hurricane Helene, which had previously caused flooding and widespread destruction. Despite the extensive damage, the situation at Tropicana Field could have been much worse. The Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis, had earlier announced plans to use the stadium as a temporary base for debris cleanup and to house first responders. However, these plans were altered due to fears that the roof would not withstand the hurricane’s power.
Architectural Aspects of Tropicana Field
Tropicana Field, boasting the world’s largest cable-supported domed roof, is constructed with translucent, Teflon-coated fiberglass panels, backed by 180 miles of cables linked by struts. The roof was designed to resist winds of up to 115 mph, according to the Tampa Bay Rays. Built in 1990 with an initial budget of $138 million, the stadium is slated for replacement by 2028 with a new $1.3 billion ballpark.
Other Sporting Events Affected by Hurricane Milton
The impact of Hurricane Milton was also felt in other sports. The Orlando Magic had to revise their return schedule after a preseason game against the San Antonio Spurs. They initially planned to return to Orlando on Thursday, but postponed their return to Friday. Moreover, a preseason game between the Magic and the New Orleans Pelicans in Orlando was cancelled and will not be rescheduled. Another NBA preseason game between the Heat and Atlanta Hawks in Miami was also postponed due to the hurricane. Furthermore, an NHL pre-season game in Tampa between the Lightning and Nashville Predators was called off.
Future of the Sporting Events
Despite Milton’s devastating effects, two college football games are scheduled to proceed on Saturday in cities hit hard by the hurricane. However, there are still logistical issues to be addressed in the aftermath of the storm. South Florida is preparing to host Memphis, and UCF is preparing to host Cincinnati. Both games are set to start at 3:30 p.m. ET.
