It was meant to be a place of refuge. a haven for first responders and cleaning workers exhausted after exhausting days spent rescuing storm victims or removing Hurricane Milton’s debris.
However, throughout its destructive march over Florida, Milton showed no compassion, tearing off the roof of Tropicana Field, a Major League Baseball stadium that had been converted into a temporary shelter for emergency officials.
At least four people have been killed by Milton, a Category 3 storm that made landfall on Wednesday and sparked a string of tornadoes; more deaths are anticipated.
The baseball pitch where the Tampa Bay Rays play is surrounded by rows of empty cots in aerial imagery of the demolished stadium.
Storm chaser Jonathan Petramala told CNN that arriving at the stadium in downtown St. Petersburg was “one of the most surreal things ever.”
“I was able to touch a portion of the roof with my hands and feel the material; it feels like thick vinyl,” Petramala said. “And it was evident that it had no chance against Hurricane Milton’s winds.”
Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida said earlier this week that Tropicana Field will serve as a base camp for first responders and debris removal operations, housing 10,000 people.
DeSantis stated on Thursday that “Tropicana Field is a routine staging area for these things.”
According to the Rays media guide, the stadium’s roof is designed to resist winds of up to 115 miles per hour.
However, DeSantis stated on Thursday that when Milton’s power increased and she finally made ashore with whipping gusts of 120 mph, the first responders were moved.
The governor declared, “They were moved before the storm.” “No state property was present at Tropicana Field.”
After the roof collapsed, no casualties were recorded, and a city spokeswoman advised locals to stay away from St. Petersburg’s center.
The Rays, who are presently in their offseason, and MLB have been contacted by CNN for comments.
