The Tampa Bay Rays are facing a major setback after their home stadium, Tropicana Field, was decimated by Hurricane Milton. The destructive winds ripped the roof to shreds, leaving the dome wide open and causing significant damage to the field.
Videos and pictures of the aftermath went viral on social media, capturing the extent of the destruction. The Rays have stated that it may take several weeks to fully assess the damage done to the stadium.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the storm, but the team now faces the challenge of determining their next steps. The roof was built to withstand winds up to 115 mph, but Hurricane Milton proved to be too much for the structure.
The Rays are not expected to use the field for games until March 27, which is Opening Day 2025. In the meantime, they are working with law enforcement to secure the building and are asking for patience from fans and the community.
The team had previously worked with state and local emergency management partners to aid in storm recovery efforts, but those plans had to be altered as the forecast for Hurricane Milton became more severe.
The Tampa Bay Lightning, another local sports team, has also been impacted by the storm, postponing their home opener as the NHL season begins. The community is coming together to support those affected by the hurricane, and recovery efforts are underway.
Overall, the Rays and the Tampa Bay community are facing a long road ahead as they work to rebuild and recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Milton.
