Tropicana Field damage: Hurricane Milton rips roof off Rays ballpark as storm makes landfall

Hurricane Milton slammed into the west coast of Florida on Wednesday night.

Tropicana Field, the home of the Tampa Bay Rays, was being set up as a base camp and staging area for thousands of first responders assisting the state. The Category 3 hurricane reached Florida on Wednesday evening, and the ballpark roof is already under duress.

Videos have surfaced of the dome roof being torn apart by the whipping winds of Hurricane Milton. You can find that footage along with any other available information below.

MORE: Which NFL, NHL, college football games are affected by Hurricane Milton

Tropicana Field roof ripped offTropicana Field’s roof is already being torn apart by Hurricane Milton.

The roof of Tropicana Field, which is being used as a shelter for visiting power company crews and other storm relief workers, has been damaged by #HurricaneMilton, as reported by our sister station @FOX13News.

The 34 year old stadium is the home of the Tampa Bay Rays. pic.twitter.com/hxW6RSWxCu

— Jim Lokay (@Lokay) October 10, 2024The view from our window as we ride out the storm. The roof of Tropicana Field is destroyed by the winds of #HurricaneMilton. Praying for Tampa Bay and all areas affected. Stay safe, everyone pic.twitter.com/uy0aNGMAuJ

— Dave Moore (@DaveMoore_83) October 10, 2024The roofing has broken open, but there have not been any reports on the severity of the damage inside the stadium as of Wednesday night.

No first responders were being staged at Tropicana Field at the time of the roof damage, per MLB reporter Tricia Whitaker.

Officials made contact with the essential personnel who were inside Tropicana Field and all are safe, Florida’s NBC 2 reported.

Tropicana Field was being set up as a “10,000-person base camp” for debris cleanup operations as Florida prepares to recover from the storm, USA Today reported Tuesday. There were thousands of cots lined up across the entire field to house first responders who would be helping in the aftermath of the storm.

The ballpark was not being used as a shelter for residents, the Rays confirmed before the storm.

Check back for updates on Hurricane Milton’s impact on Tropicana Field as this is a developing story.