In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton's impact on St. Petersburg, a large crane was toppled, causing significant damage to a downtown building and raising concerns about the adequacy of state regulations regarding construction equipment during natural disasters. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, in the midst of the debris and caution tape, indicated that a focus on 'common sense' solutions might be more beneficial than introducing additional regulations. "I think the question is, should there be more regulation, or should there just be more common sense?" DeSantis said, according to WFLA.
Responding to inquiries concerning potential increases in government oversight of crane operations during extreme weather conditions, DeSantis questioned the necessity, assuming such precautions as standard practice. "Do you really have to really, like, crack down from the state to do it? I would hope not, and I think most of the time in Florida that is handled very appropriately but I think it takes a little bit of common sense," he commented in a statement reported by the Tampa Bay Times. The crash, however, did not result in any injuries as reported by city officials, and no Time staffers were inside their newsroom located in the building at the time of the incident.
The Red Apple Group, developers of the construction site where the crane cab collapsed, have been working in conjunction with city officials to assess the full scope of the wreckage. As Mayor Kenneth Welch had previously advised residents near crane construction sites to evacuate, the site was ultimately cordoned off by police to ensure public safety, as additional details provided by WFLA.
Despite the disruption caused by the crane's descent and the subsequent closure of their physical workplace, the Tampa Bay Times has managed to keep publishing. Mark Katches, the Times editor, ensured the continuity of operations following the hurricane, emphasizing the newsroom's adaptability, which had already adjusted to remote work during the pandemic and even received awards while functioning away from a physical office, as he told U.S. News & World Report. Katches mentioned concerns over potential water damage to newsroom equipment and the uncertainty of when staff could return to the building, with the location of the damage bearing favorably on the possibility of future use of the office space.
The debate over the role of state regulation versus on-site decision-making in disaster preparedness continues as state law currently restricts regulatory power over cranes to the state government, specifically "regarding hurricane preparedness or public safety." Neither the office of Gov. DeSantis nor the Florida Division of Emergency Management provided immediate commentary on the stipulation when contacted via email, as documented by Tampa Bay Times.
