Paradise in tatters: Florida emerges from Hurricane Milton as first deaths reported from 'once in a century storm'
by Asher McShane · LBCBy Asher McShane
Hurricane Milton has cut a path of destruction across Florida, leaving several people dead and a trail of devastation in its wake.
Listen to this article
Loading audio...
Milton made landfall as a category 3 storm at around 8.30pm EST (1.30am BST).
It brought floods, 120mph winds, and deadly tornadoes.
More than three million homes and businesses have been left without power.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor warned that homes where anyone stayed put during the storm would be turned into ‘coffins’.
Other officials warned residents who refused to leave to write their names and social security numbers on their limbs so their bodies could be more easily identified.
Two deaths have been confirmed by local officials in St Lucie County.
Millions of terrified residents fled the state after President Joe Biden warned Milton would be "one of the most destructive hurricanes of the century".
Dramatic footage shows extensive damage to the roof of the Tropicana Field Stadium in Tampa, as Hurricane Milton ripped through Florida on Thursday morning.
Images show the bare steel structure of the field's dome exposed to the elements after sections of fabric were torn from the roof during the storm.
The stadium, home to US baseball team the Tampa Bay Rays, had previously been covered by stretched fabric that was ripped to shreds by flying debris and winds in excess of 100mph.
Tropicana Field features the world’s largest cable-supported domed roof, consisting of large panels constructed from “translucent, Teflon-coated fiberglass” and 180 miles of cable.
It had previously been claimed that the roof could withstand gusts of up to 115mph, according to the Rays.
The Tropicana Field, located in St. Petersburg, sits in an area ravaged by some of the strongest winds recorded as the eye of the storm passed close by.
Images give a clear line of sight into the building, with the lights of the stadium beaming out from inside the structure.
Video footage emerging from inside the dome shot by security shows the true extent of the damage.
The next NBA preseason game between the Magic and the New Orleans Pelicans, set to take place at the stadium on Friday, was canceled before the hurricane hit.
Only essential personnel are said to have been in the ballpark at the time of the incident, with all officials reportedsafe and accounted for, according to the baseball team.
It's believed the venue was not being used as a shelter at the time of the destruction.
Additionally, no emergency personnel or first responders are believed to have been stationed at the ground.
Read more: Taylor Swift donates $5million to Hurricanes Helene and Milton relief efforts
Following images surfaces of the extensive damage, the team confirmed that no official determination could be made as to the extent of the damage until conditions improve.
The stadium first opened in 1990 and initially cost $138 million. It is due to be replaced in time for the 2028 season with a $1.3 billion ballpark.
Destruction is believed to be widespread after Milton's destructive path, with an unconfirmed number of deaths already reported.
Maximum sustained winds of 120mph struck the coast as the hurricane made landfall on Wednesday evening, the National Hurricane Center confirmed.
The storm has now knocked out power for some 2.8 million Floridians, with 100,000 currently displaced in shelters authorities have said.