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Hurricane Milton’s footprint at Tropicana Field in Florida underscores the need for stronger stadiums

Matte Jr
Hurricane Milton’s footprint at Tropicana Field in Florida underscores the need for stronger stadiums

Ahmad Rahimian, WSP Director of Building Structures, talks to FOX Weather about the innovative design elements that can improve storm resilience and how current design deficiencies, such as those highlighted by Milton, have impacted ongoing rebuilding efforts.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – As the frequency and intensity of major hurricanes increases, architects are scrambling to develop new building codes that can protect arenas worldwide from the devastating forces wrought by storms.

According to Ahmad Rahimi, director of civil structures at WSP, who recently spoke with FOX Weather, Hurricane Milton, which devastated Florida, underscored the need for more resilient infrastructure.

The famed Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, sustained significant damage during the storm despite not being built until the 1990s.

“This building was designed about 40 years ago,” he said. “So building codes have evolved.”

SEE IT: FIRST LOOK AT THE TAMPA BAY RAYS’ BAMMED TROPICANA FIELD AFTER MILTON’S FORCE DESTROYS THE ROOF

  • A drone image shows the dome of Tropicana Field ripped open by Hurricane Milton in St. Petersburg, Florida, on October 10, 2024.

    A drone image shows the dome of Tropicana Field ripped open by Hurricane Milton in St. Petersburg, Florida, on October 10, 2024.
    (BRYAN R SMITH/AFP)

  • The dome of Tropicana Field ripped open by Hurricane Milton in St. Petersburg, Florida on October 10, 2024.

    The dome of Tropicana Field ripped open by Hurricane Milton in St. Petersburg, Florida on October 10, 2024.
    (BRYAN R SMITH/AFP)

  • A drone image shows the dome of Tropicana Field ripped open by Hurricane Milton in St. Petersburg, Florida, on October 10, 2024.

    A drone image shows the dome of Tropicana Field ripped open by Hurricane Milton in St. Petersburg, Florida, on October 10, 2024.
    (BRYAN R SMITH/AFP)

  • Roof damage at Tropicana Field after Hurricane Milton made landfall in St. Petersburg, Florida, USA, Thursday, October 10, 2024.

    Roof damage at Tropicana Field after Hurricane Milton made landfall in St. Petersburg, Florida, USA, Thursday, October 10, 2024.
    ( )

  • A drone image shows the dome of Tropicana Field ripped open by Hurricane Milton in St. Petersburg, Florida, on October 10, 2024.

    A drone image shows the dome of Tropicana Field ripped open by Hurricane Milton in St. Petersburg, Florida, on October 10, 2024.
    (BRYAN R SMITH/AFP)

  • A drone image shows the dome of Tropicana Field ripped open by Hurricane Milton in St. Petersburg, Florida, on October 10, 2024.

    A drone image shows the dome of Tropicana Field ripped open by Hurricane Milton in St. Petersburg, Florida, on October 10, 2024.
    (BRYAN R SMITH/AFP)

  • A drone image shows the dome of Tropicana Field ripped open by Hurricane Milton in St. Petersburg, Florida, on October 10, 2024.

    A drone image shows the dome of Tropicana Field ripped open by Hurricane Milton in St. Petersburg, Florida, on October 10, 2024.
    (BRYAN R SMITH/AFP)

  • Hurricane-force winds rip the roof off Tropicana Field.

    Hurricane-force winds rip the roof off Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.
    (Zach Abernathy)

  • Hurricane-force winds rip the roof off Tropicana Field.

    Hurricane-force winds rip the roof off Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.
    (Zach Abernathy)

  • Hurricane-force winds rip the roof off Tropicana Field.

    Hurricane-force winds rip the roof off Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.
    (Zach Abernathy)

Rahimi explained that although the stadium’s life safety systems worked well, the roof could not withstand the strong winds.

“Today, the codes have evolved a lot. We have what we call performance-based design,” adds Rahimi. “Our design goes beyond just life safety. We design for a level of performance that requires different facilities to be designed for.”

This approach goes beyond simply ensuring safety and focuses on designing structures that can maintain functionality even during extreme weather events. According to Rahimi, hospitals and stadiums, for example, require a higher level of resilience due to their crucial role in society.

TAMPA, ST. PETERSBURG hit by 100 mile per hour winds, catastrophic flooding caused by Hurricane MILTON

A security official offers FOX Weather its first look at the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Milton at Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays.

To build resilient stadiums, architects must consider various environmental factors.

“There could be multiple hazards in many places,” Rahimi said. “It’s not just hurricanes. It could be earthquakes. It could be snow. All of these things need to be taken into account.”

TROPICANA FIELD STINGRAYS WERE MOVED TO THE FIELD AFTER DESTRUCTION DURING HURRICANE MILTON

The cownose stingrays that lived at Tropicana Field were safely transported to the Florida Aquarium after the stadium’s roof was damaged during Hurricane Milton.

Rahimi said WSP’s global reach allows them to address these challenges in different regions.

He also stressed the importance of adopting international building codes, such as those from the United States or Europe, to improve safety standards in regions with less stringent regulations.

By adopting international building codes and incorporating innovative design principles, Rahimi said the industry can create stadiums that not only withstand extreme weather conditions, but also serve as safe havens for communities during disasters.

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