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P. Diddy's lawyers make serious allegations against the US government At least 20 homes in St. Lucie were damaged after reported tornadoes

Hurricane Milton ripped off the roof of Tropicana Field, which was converted into a camp for thousands of first responders, as the Category 3 storm ripped through Florida on Wednesday evening.

The destruction of the Tampa Bay Rays stadium in St. Petersburg was visible from the outside, as the stadium's lights and roof beams were visible.

According to a social media video from inside the stadium, the storm ripped open a large hole above the third base dugout and roofing material covered various parts of the infield and stadium seating.

Tropicana Field's roof was torn off by Hurricane Milton on October 9, 2024, exposing the interior. AP

Large sheets of white roofing fabric hung from the stadium's walkways while an American flag flew at midfield due to Milton's dangerous winds.

In St. Petersburg, wind gusts peaked at 91 miles per hour on Wednesday, according to WFLA.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state had set up a 10,000-person base camp at the stadium to “support ongoing debris operations and postlanding responders” in the days before the storm.

Thousands of green and white cots had been set up in the outfield and foul territory to accommodate workers and operations teams.

The guardsmen were moved to Ocala on Wednesday, WFTS reported, citing a National Guard official.

The storm tore a large hole above the third base dugout and roofing material covered various parts of the infield and stadium seating @Stryker175/X
Large sheets of white roofing fabric hung from the stadium's walkways. AP
The stadium's lighting system and roof trusses were visible from the outside. ZUMAPRESS.com

The storm made landfall around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday near Siesta Key, south of the stadium, with sustained winds of 120 mph.

The storm was downgraded to Category 2 about 90 minutes after it hit the Sunshine State.

According to St. Petersburg authorities, no injuries were reported at the stadium.

The Rays have played in the much-maligned stadium since their inaugural season in 1998.

Tropicana Field opened in 1990 to attract a major league team to the area after hosting an arena football team for six years.

The Tampa Bay Lightning played at the stadium for three years when it was known as the Florida Suncoast Dome and nicknamed the ThunderDome.

In July, the Rays received final approval from the Pinellas County Commission to build a new stadium to replace The Trop and plan to open it in time for the 2028 season.

A 10,000-person base camp was set up at the stadium to “support ongoing debris operations and post-landing operations.” REUTERS
Thousands of green and white cots had been set up in the outfield and foul territory to accommodate workers and operations teams. REUTERS

The new complex will be part of the Historic Gas Plant District development.

The $1.3 million stadium is expected to seat 30,000 spectators, with capacity increased to 33,000 to 34,000 for Rays games.

Follow The Post for live updates as Hurricane Milton makes landfall

Like its predecessor, the new ballpark will be covered to withstand Florida's extreme weather, but will feature a stepped pavilion-style roof.

Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2025.

Tropicana Field has been the home stadium of the Tampa Bay Rays since the team's founding year in 1998. Kirby Lee-US PRESSWIRE
The Rays' contract with Tropicana Field expires in 2027. Getty Images

The Rays' contract with Tropicana Field expires in 2027.

The stadium was the last MLB stadium with a permanent roof after the Minnesota Twins moved from the Metrodome to Target Field in 2010.

The St. Petersburg region was hit by the storm, where two wastewater plants were taken offline and a citywide drinking water warning was issued at midnight due to a water main break.

Emergency crews and first responders have been removed from the roads and will remain off duty until conditions and weather improve.

A construction crane working in the city at 400 Central Avenue collapsed as the storm swept through the area.

A large tree also fell and landed on a sidewalk in front of the Moxy Hotel in downtown St. Petersburg, across from Tropicana Field, according to a video from the city's Facebook page.

On By John Fenwick

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