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Tampa Bay Downs Reports Flooding, But Minimal Damage After Hurricane Milton
Tampa Bay Downs did not have any horses on the grounds during Hurricane Milton, which made landfall about sixty miles south of the track on Wednesday evening at 8:30 p.m. Fallout from the edges of the hurricane seems to be minimal, reports bloodhorse.com.
Minor damage to the front side of the track was reported, as well as flooding of the barn area. Track employees have been out of office since Oct. 7 to prepare for the hurricane, and the simulcasting and poker rooms were closed on Oct. 8, said Margo Flynn, vice president of marketing and publicity.
"Due to no power, downed power lines, and fallen trees on the surrounding roads, we are unable to get any crews in to get a closer look. We are under a stay-in-place order," Flynn told bloodhorse.com on Oct. 10.
The hurricane did tear the roof off Tampa Bay's Tropicana Field Major League Baseball stadium, about 25 miles south of track.
According to the New York Times, Tampa Bay appeared to escape the worst of the storm surge flooding. Approximately 3.5 million people are without power across Florida, and five deaths have been confirmed so far.
