Hurricane Milton Wreaks Havoc in St. Petersburg: Developer Criticized for Crane Collapse
ST. PETERSBURG — Governor Ron DeSantis took to the press on October 11, 2024, addressing the destruction wrought by Hurricane Milton, notably the extensive damage at a downtown high-rise where a construction crane collapsed. The unfortunate incident left the office of the Tampa Bay Times severely affected, as the crane descended from the 46-story Residences at 400 Central, a new skyscraper currently under construction.
Governor’s Remarks on Crane Protocol
Officials are seeking answers following the incident, with DeSantis directly pointing out that the developer’s lack of action to secure the crane was a clear misjudgment. During a press conference that provided updates on recovery efforts, he suggested that ensuring the cranes were taken down during severe weather was a fundamental measure that should not require strict regulations from the state.
“Do we really have to regulate everything?” DeSantis stated. He mentioned that common sense should dictate action in such critical situations.
Statements from the Developer
The developer involved, Red Apple Group, acknowledged the incident in a recent statement, indicating they are in the process of conducting inspections and plan to start debris removal soon. They reassured the public that the integrity of the 400 Central building remained intact after the crane’s collapse.
Official Responses and Commentary
John Catsimatidis, CEO of Red Apple Group and known for his political donations, was also mentioned in relation to the event. However, the statement from the company did not directly address the governor’s criticisms regarding safety measures with cranes during hurricanes.
The incident did not go unnoticed by local officials. Kevin Guthrie, the state emergency management director, criticized the developer for failing to secure the crane prior to the hurricane, noting that it was not the government’s role to police such actions. He asserted the local building authority was equipped to manage safety in construction practices.
City Officials and Safety Concerns
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported resulting from the crane’s collapse. St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch had previously cautioned residents living in proximity to downtown construction sites to evacuate the area ahead of the severe weather.
Officials revealed that the cranes at the construction site were designed to withstand winds of up to 110 mph, and it was acknowledged that one of the crane’s arms snapped from the pressure of the extreme gusts from Milton.
Electrical Outages and Emergency Responses
As the recovery efforts continued, it was reported that approximately 2.4 million Florida residents found themselves without power due to the hurricane. However, utility officials from Duke Energy Florida predicted a swift reduction in these numbers as repair efforts progressed.
Issues with Emergency Preparations
Beyond damage from Milton, DeSantis also addressed concerns raised regarding the emergency response setups at local facilities, such as the state-controlled emergency shelter established at Tropicana Field. Though the roof of the facility sustained damage, officials are yet to clarify the logistical missteps pertaining to the emergency housing resources.
