(NewsNation) — Officials are assessing the damage to the Tampa Bay Rays’ home stadium Tropicana Field after Hurricane Milton’s strong winds tore multiple panels off the roof.
NewsNation drone footage of the stadium captured the extent of the damage, which made the pitcher mound nearly indistinguishable from debris scattered around the field.
The stadium was functioning as a staging area for storm response crews. Officials relocated to another staging area before the building lost its roof.
The stadium was established in 1990. Its roof was made of translucent Teflon-coated fiberglass and was supported by 180 miles of cables connected by struts.
It initially cost $138 million and was due to be replaced in time for the 2026 season with a $1.3 billion ballpark, according to the Associated Press.