People are ‘praying’ for those in Tampa Bay after footage emerged online from inside Tropicana Field stadium after Hurricane Milton hit
The inside of a stadium which was meant to be used as 10,000 first responders’ base camp amid Hurricane Milton has been left in tatters.
Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida yesterday (October 9) as a category three storm, ripping through the area of Tampa Bay before heading towards Orlando.
Residents had been urged to evacuate and Tropicana Field stadium was expected to house as many as 10,000 first responders seeking shelter. However, the storm managed to rip off its roof and a security agent’s video of the damage has left people deeply concerned.
Earlier in the week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis reported the domed home of baseball team Tampa Bay Rays – located in St Petersburg – would be used as a base camp the first responders.
However, when Hurricane Milton made landfall last night, the stadium’s roof was torn open and a security agent’s footage from inside has revealed the horrifying extent of the damage.
The video – shared by the owner of the security firm – shows the roof ‘shredded to pieces,’ torn pieces of fabric strewn around and debris everywhere, with people flocking to the post to share their concern.
“My prayers go out to you all. Godspeed!” one Twitter user said.
Another added: “Oh my God..Praying for everyone’s Safety.”
Shortly after arriving at the stadium, storm chaser Jonathan Petramala told CNN he saw the stadium being ripped open and the destruction left behind is ‘one of the most surreal things ever’.
So far, the storm has seen highs as much as 180 mph – experts led to question whether there should be a category six on the Saffir-Simpon scale.
It’s reported by CBS News when Hurricane Milton first made landfall it sustained wind speeds of 120 mph.
Supported by 180 miles of cabling – dubbed the ‘world’s largest cable-supported dome roof’ – the stadium is built to withstand winds of up to 115 mph, the Rays state.
Administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Deanne Criswell, warned BBC Radio 4’s Today program: “The wind, even though it’s decreasing, the threats are not decreasing.”
She continued: “With the increased amount of rain, with the threat of flash flooding happening, you need to stay put. Don’t go out, try to make sure you’re as safe as possible.”
At the time of writing, no injuries have been reported as a result of the stadium’s roof coming off.
A spokesperson for the city urged residents to avoid the area of downtown St Petersburg.
To donate to the American Red Cross, which helps provide food, supplies, shelter and emotional support to victims of crisis you can donate here.
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