Updating Hurricane Milton’s impact on Orioles’ spring training facility
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October 10, 2024 7:22 pm
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Hurricane Milton, a violent Category 3 storm that made landfall Wednesday night near Siesta Key, apparently didn’t cause major destruction to the Orioles’ spring training complex in Sarasota.
Sustained winds reaching 120 mph tore the fabric roof off Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, home of the Tampa Bay Rays. The Ed Smith Stadium complex appears to have been spared.
The storm weakened to a Category 1 as it moved through the state this morning.
“We are evaluating the Sarasota complex at this time, but initial assessments have not yet uncovered significant damage,” Orioles senior vice president of communications Jennifer Grondahl said in a statement. “FP&L (Florida Power & Light) is activating from our facility to help restore power to our community. We will share additional ways in which we intend to support the response efforts as plans are finalized.”
FP&L is using the facility as a staging center and local officials marked it as a sandbag distribution center. The Orioles evacuated personnel Monday at Ed Smith and the minor league complex at Twin Lakes Park.
The storm knocked out power to more than 3 million customers, according to an Associated Press report, and as much as 18 inches of rain were dumped in some locations. But Tampa didn’t sustain a direct hit, and The Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Howard Frankland Bridge and the Gandy Bridge have reopened.
Sarasota County appeared to sustain the worst storm surge, according to the report.
“Search and rescue operations began overnight as soon as the storm passed and are ongoing,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a statement. “National Guard, State Guard, and Fish and Wildlife Commission personnel, as well as local law enforcement and first responders, are engaged in rescue missions throughout impacted areas.”
The Orioles moved their spring training operation from Fort Lauderdale to Sarasota in 2010. Their first exhibition game is scheduled for Feb. 22 against the Pirates at Ed Smith Stadium.
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