Tower Cranes A Hazard During Hurricane Milton: St. Pete Officials

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The city has issued a safety advisory about tower cranes near construction projects because of anticipated wind gusts of more than 100 mph during Hurricane Milton, St. Petersburg officials said in a news release.

Milton is forecast to make landfall on Florida’s west coast as a Category 3 storm on Wednesday bringing strong storm surge, heavy rains and hurricane-force winds to the greater Tampa Bay area.

“These high winds could potentially exceed the safe operational limits for tower cranes, posing a risk of malfunction,” the city said.

• 400 Central Ave. (downtown)
• 275 1st Ave. S. (downtown)
• 1000 1st Ave. N. (downtown)
• 101 Main Street N. (Carillon)

Residents can check to see if they’re in a location that could be impacted by the cranes at these sites online here.

Though the city has reached out to the private developers that manage these cranes, lowering or securing a tower crane needs to be scheduled weeks in advance.

With Milton affecting the St. Petersburg area on Wednesday, lowering and securing the cranes isn’t “a feasible option within the timeframe of an approaching storm due to the rapid intensification and forecasted path,” officials said.

Residents and businesses near the affected sites are asked to either relocate or shelter in place. For those sheltering in place, interior areas near elevators or stairwells are considered the safest locations within buildings.

Roads, sidewalks and parking zones in affected areas will also be restricted because of the safety hazard.