A construction crane crashed into the Tampa Bay Times office building, creating a significant hole in the structure amid the fierce winds of Hurricane Milton.

The crane was part of the construction for a 46-story luxury high-rise—the tallest skyscraper in St. Petersburg—but it could not withstand the storm's powerful gusts and fell late Wednesday night.

A substantial section of the crane impacted the side of the adjacent office building, which houses various businesses, including the Tampa Bay Times.

Photos from the scene reveal twisted metal and debris littering the streets of downtown St. Petersburg.

Witnesses near the wreckage shared with the Tampa Bay Times that they observed palm trees entangled in the mangled metal, smoke rising from the damaged building, and a lingering smell of gasoline in the air.

The newspaper confirmed that no staff members were present in its newsroom at the time of the crane's collapse.

Crane Collapse Amid Hurricane Milton Highlights Safety Priorities for Construction Owners

From the perspective of construction owners, the recent collapse of a crane onto the Tampa Bay Times office building underscores the critical importance of safety measures and risk management in construction projects, particularly in regions prone to extreme weather. As owners, we are responsible not only for the success of the projects but also for ensuring the safety of workers, nearby businesses, and the public.

The crane, which was part of the construction of a 46-story luxury high-rise in downtown St. Petersburg, collapsed amid Hurricane Milton’s fierce winds. The incident caused significant damage to the adjacent building, emphasizing how quickly unforeseen weather events can turn into disasters for large-scale projects.

For construction owners, incidents like these raise serious questions about preparedness. Are we equipped with the right protocols to protect our projects in hurricane zones? Could more advanced forecasting and more stringent wind-resistance standards for equipment have prevented this? These questions must be asked before, not after, a crisis strikes.

Though the newspaper reported no injuries, this serves as a wake-up call for all of us in the industry. We must consistently evaluate the risks involved with high-rise construction, especially as our projects grow taller and more complex. Construction owners should work with contractors, engineers, and local authorities to reassess safety standards, ensure timely inspections, and prepare for worst-case scenarios.

At the end of the day, our top priority is safeguarding both our workforce and the communities in which we build.