Tropicana Field (Photo via @bclemms)
The Tampa Bay Rays’ Tropicana field is worse for wear after facing Hurricane Milton this week.
The stadium has had its roof ripped up by the hurricane, with shocking photos and videos showing the mess left behind in its wake.
On Wednesday night, winds of over 100mph ravaged St. Petersburg, Florida. The Teflon-coated fiberglass roof of the aforementioned sports venue was apparently no match for the vicious weather pattern and was torn off.
The field, which was a designated base for 10,000 responders who were supposed to clean up after the storm, is also quite a mess as it’s now littered with debris. Beds placed there for them can also be seen.
The Tropicana Field roof has come off during Hurricane Milton 🤯
pic.twitter.com/GaOJgEeVZr— Kent Murphy (@KentMurphy) October 10, 2024
Hurricane Milton completely destroyed Tropicana Field’s roof.
(Via: @BClemms)pic.twitter.com/eeGH8uZSL4
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) October 10, 2024
One of my security agents inside @tropicanafield pic.twitter.com/eFyHOvPZQm
— Ryan Stryker (@Stryker175) October 10, 2024
Tropicana Field before Milton set up for first responders and line workers, and Tropicana Field after Milton pic.twitter.com/pnvRAogeZU
— Brody Logan (@BrodyLogan) October 10, 2024
Tropicana Field “Had No Chance,” According To Storm Chaser Jonathan Petramela
180 miles of cable connected to struts held the roof down. According to the Rays’ media guide, the structure was built to withstand wind speeds of up to 115mph, but journalist Jonathan Petramala claimed it “had no chance.”
“It’s surreal to see the roof shredded like that,” he said. “I was able to get my hands on a piece of that roof, it feels like thick vinyl. It had no chance against those winds of Hurricane Milton.”
This all comes on the back of the Rays ending their season in September, having missed the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, games cannot be played there without a roof because the field does not have a proper drainage system. The team is set to move into a new $1.3 billion stadium in St. Petersburg; however, it won’t open its doors until at least 2018.
The team will begin a new season in March 2025. It is still unknown whether the roof will be fixed by then.
