Shocking new footage shows Hurricane Milton’s catastrophic impact on Tropicana Field as security shelter in VIP suites

Hurricane Milton’s devastating winds ripped through the roof of Tropicana Field on Wednesday, with dramatic new footage showing the damage done to the stadium.

The St. Petersburg ballpark – home to MLB franchise the Tampa Bay Rays – had been transformed into a base for around 10,000 first responders and emergency service personnel in anticipation of the monster storm.

Initial footage posted on social media showed huge holes in the domed roof, with material flapping in the vicious winds.

Now the full extent of Hurricane Milton’s catastrophic impact on Tropicana Field can be seen in new videos of the ballpark, which has virtually been left without a roof.

Hurricane Milton’s devastating winds ripped through the Tropicana Field roof on Wednesday.

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Hurricane Milton rips through the roof of Tropicana Field

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After Hurricane Milton slammed into Florida’s gulf coast, Friday’s NBA preseason game in Orlando between the Magic and the New Orleans Pelicans was swiftly cancelled.

National Guard and other first responders were stationed at the ballpark in order to help with relief efforts.

There were no immediate reports of injuries inside.

The Rays have been based in St Petersburg since the franchise’s first season in 1998 and, late last year, the team reached an agreement with the city and Pinellas County to build a new $1.3billion ballpark on the site of Tropicana Field.

After 17 years of waiting and botched proposals, the plan was officially approved in July.

The new stadium, which will hold up to 34,000 fans for Rays games, is due to be completed in time for the 2028 season.

Work is slated to start in January 2025.

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The home of the Tampa Bay Rays has been left completely devastated in its wake

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As many as two million people were ordered to evacuate, with millions more living in the projected path of the storm.

Much of the southern US experienced the deadly force of Hurricane Helene as it cut a swath of devastation through Florida and several other states.

Both storms are expected to cause billions of dollars in damage.