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Crane brought down by Hurricane Milton hits neighbouring building

The crane was part of construction on a high-rise building in St. Petersburg

Part of the crane struck a neighbouring office building which housed the Tampa Bay Times (x.com/StPeteFL)
Part of the crane struck a neighbouring office building which housed the Tampa Bay Times (x.com/StPeteFL)
By Mark Robinson

A crane which was brought down in the Tampa Bay area by the winds of Hurricane Milton crashed into a neighbouring building on its descent.

While it was brought to the ground in St. Petersburg by the hurricane’s strong winds, part of the crane struck a neighbouring building which houses the offices of the Tampa Bay Times.

City officials confirmed that nobody was injured by the crane’s fall and no injuries were recorded inside the impacted office building.

More: Hurricane Milton batters Florida leaving more than three million without power

The crane fell from a high-rise construction project at 400 Central Avenue where building has been ongoing for around two years.

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The crane was brought to the ground by the hurricane's strong winds (x.com/StPeteFL)
The crane was brought to the ground by the hurricane's strong winds (x.com/StPeteFL)

In advance of Milton’s arrival, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch said officials had been in touch with those living near any construction projects to advise them to leave.

“The city is working to notify residents in the surrounding areas and we are distributing information materials to inform the residents of the potential hazard,” he said in a press conference earlier this week.

“Every resident in those areas should take the necessary precautions to prepare for the storm.”

Lowering construction cranes typically requires weeks of scheduling and had not been possible within the timeframe of this hurricane.

St. Petersburg was hit hard by Hurricane Milton, with a main water break leading to drinking water being switched off and the city’s Tropicana Field stadium – which had been used to shelter emergency responders – having its roof ripped apart by the storm.

The city was just north of where the center of the storm hit as a category 3 hurricane.

In a post online this morning, city officials said: “We love you, St. Pete. It’s been a tough few weeks, but we’re still with you - we’re ready to recover and rebuild.”

“City crews began accessing damage at daybreak and were encouraging all residents to stay off the roads until we deem it safe.”