Aging is inevitable, and for many, it signals the beginning of a new chapter - one where you cross off bucket list items and live life to the fullest, on your own terms. However, for some women, aging is a horrible prospect, filled with chronic fatigue, irritability, and inability to perform in the bedroom. If you're concerned about life in middle age and beyond, we've got great news: there are easy, proven steps that you can take to help stop the negative effect of aging.
Global Life Rejuvenation was founded to give women a new lease on life - one that includes less body fat, fewer mood swings, and more energy as you age. If you're ready to look and feel younger, it's time to consider HRT (hormone replacement therapy), and growth hormone peptides. These therapies for men and women are effective, safe, and customized to fit your goals, so you can keep loving life as you get older.
HRT, and growth hormone peptide therapies bridge the gap between your old life and the more vibrant, happier version of you. With a simple click or call, you can be well on your way to a brighter future. After all, you deserve to be the one in charge of your wellness and health. Now, you have the tools to do so - backed by science and applied by our team of HRT experts with more than 13 years of experience.
As women age, their hormones begin to go through changes that affect their day-to-day lives. For women, hormone deficiency and imbalance usually occur during menopause and can cause chronic fatigue, hot flashes, and mood swings, among other issues. Hormone replacement therapy helps correct hormone imbalances in women, helping them feel more vibrant and virile as they age.
Often, HRT treatments give patients enhanced quality of life that they didn't think was possible - even in their 60's and beyond.
The benefits for women are numerous and are available today through Global Life Rejuvenation.
As women age, their bodies begin to go through significant changes that affect their quality of life. This change is called menopause and marks the end of a woman's menstrual cycle and reproduction ability. Though there is no specific age when this change occurs, the average age of menopause onset is 51 years old. However, according to doctors, menopause officially starts 12 months after a woman's final period. During the transition to menopause, women's estrogen and other hormones begin to deplete.
As that happens, many women experience severe symptoms. These symptoms include:
The symptoms of hormone deficiency can be concerning and scary for both women and their spouses. However, if you're getting older and notice some of these symptoms, there is reason to be hopeful. Hormone replacement therapy and anti-aging medicine for women can correct imbalances that happen during menopause. These safe, effective treatments leave you feeling younger, healthier, and more vibrant.
The most common reason for menopause is the natural decline in a female's reproductive hormones. However, menopause can also result from the following situations:
Oophorectomy: This surgery, which removes a woman's ovaries, causes immediate menopause. Symptoms and signs of menopause in this situation can be severe, as the hormonal changes happen abruptly.
Chemotherapy: Cancer treatments like chemotherapy can induce menopause quickly, causing symptoms to appear shortly after or even during treatment.
Ovarian Insufficiency: Also called premature ovarian failure, this condition is essentially premature menopause. It happens when a woman's ovaries quit functioning before the age of 40 and can stem from genetic factors and disease. Only 1% of women suffer from premature menopause, but HRT can help protect the heart, brain, and bones.
For many women, menopause is a trying time that can be filled with many hormonal hurdles to jump through. A little knowledge can go a long way, whether you're going through menopause now or are approaching "that" age.
Here are some of the most common issues that women experience during menopause:
If you're a woman going through menopause and find that you have become increasingly depressed, you're not alone. It's estimated that 15% of women experience depression to some degree while going through menopause. What many women don't know is that depression can start during perimenopause, or the years leading up to menopause.
Depression can be hard to diagnose, especially during perimenopause and menopause. However, if you notice the following signs, it might be time to speak with a physician:
Remember, if you're experiencing depression, you're not weak or broken - you're going through a very regular emotional experience. The good news is that with proper treatment from your doctor, depression isn't a death sentence. And with HRT and anti-aging treatment for women, depression could be the catalyst you need to enjoy a new lease on life.
Hot flashes - they're one of the most well-known symptoms of menopause. Hot flashes are intense, sudden feelings of heat across a woman's upper body. Some last second, while others last minutes, making them incredibly inconvenient and uncomfortable for most women.
Symptoms of hot flashes include:
Typically, hot flashes are caused by a lack of estrogen. Low estrogen levels negatively affect a woman's hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls body temperature and appetite. Low estrogen levels cause the hypothalamus to incorrectly assume the body is too hot, dilating blood vessels to increase blood flow. Luckily, most women don't have to settle for the uncomfortable feelings that hot flashes cause. HRT treatments for women often stabilize hormones, lessening the effects of hot flashes and menopause in general.
Mood swings are common occurrences for most people - quick shifts from happy to angry and back again, triggered by a specific event. And while many people experience mood swings, they are particularly common for women going through menopause. That's because, during menopause, the female's hormones are often imbalanced. Hormone imbalances and mood swings go hand-in-hand, resulting in frequent mood changes and even symptoms like insomnia.
The rate of production of estrogen, a hormone that fluctuates during menopause, largely determines the rate of production the hormone serotonin, which regulates mood, causing mood swings.
Luckily, HRT and anti-aging treatments in Desoto Lakes, FL for women work wonders for mood swings by regulating hormone levels like estrogen. With normal hormone levels, women around the world are now learning that they don't have to settle for mood swings during menopause.
Staying fit and healthy is hard for anyone living in modern America. However, for women with hormone imbalances during perimenopause or menopause, weight gain is even more serious. Luckily, HRT treatments for women coupled with a physician-led diet can help keep weight in check. But which hormones need to be regulated?
Lowered sexual desire - three words most men and women hate to hear. Unfortunately, for many women in perimenopausal and menopausal states, it's just a reality of life. Thankfully, today, HRT and anti-aging treatments Desoto Lakes, FL can help women maintain a normal, healthy sex drive. But what causes low libido in women, especially as they get older?
The hormones responsible for low libido in women are progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone.
Progesterone production decreases during perimenopause, causing low sex drive in women. Lower progesterone production can also cause chronic fatigue, weight gain, and other symptoms. On the other hand, lower estrogen levels during menopause lead to vaginal dryness and even vaginal atrophy or loss of muscle tension.
Lastly, testosterone plays a role in lowered libido. And while testosterone is often grouped as a male hormone, it contributes to important health and regulatory functionality in women. A woman's testosterone serves to heighten sexual responses and enhances orgasms. When the ovaries are unable to produce sufficient levels of testosterone, it often results in a lowered sex drive.
Often uncomfortable and even painful, vaginal dryness is a serious problem for sexually active women. However, like hair loss in males, vaginal dryness is very common - almost 50% of women suffer from it during menopause.
Getting older is just a part of life, but that doesn't mean you have to settle for the side effects. HRT and anti-aging treatments for women correct vaginal dryness by re-balancing estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. When supplemented with diet and healthy living, your vagina's secretions are normalized, causing discomfort to recede.
Uterine fibroids - they're perhaps the least-known symptom of menopause and hormone imbalances in women. That's because these growths on the uterus are often symptom-free. Unfortunately, these growths can be cancerous, presenting a danger for women as they age.
Many women will have fibroids at some point. Because they're symptomless, they're usually found during routine doctor exams. Some women only get one or two, while others may have large clusters of fibroids. Because fibroids are usually caused by hormone imbalances, hysterectomies have been used as a solution, forcing women into early menopause.
Advances in HRT and anti-aging medicine for women give females a safer, non-surgical option without having to experience menopause early. At Global Life Rejuvenation, our expert physicians will implement a customized HRT program to stabilize your hormones and reduce the risk of cancerous fibroid growth.
Endometriosis symptoms are much like the effects of PMS, and include pelvic pain, fatigue, cramping, and bloating. While doctors aren't entirely sure what causes this painful, uncomfortable condition, most agree that hormones - particularly xenoestrogens - play a factor.
Endometriosis symptoms are much like the effects of PMS and include pelvic pain, fatigue, cramping, and bloating. While doctors aren't entirely sure what causes this painful, uncomfortable condition, most agree that hormones - particularly xenoestrogens - play a factor.
Xenoestrogen is a hormone that is very similar to estrogen. Too much xenoestrogen is thought to stimulate endometrial tissue growth. HRT for women helps balance these hormones and, when used with a custom nutrition program, can provide relief for women across the U.S.
Hormone stability is imperative for a healthy sex drive and for a normal, stress-free life during menopause. HRT and anti-aging treatments for women balance the hormones that your body has altered due to perimenopause or menopause.
HRT for women is a revolutionary step in helping women live their best lives, even as they grow older. However, at Global Life Rejuvenation, we know that no two patients are the same. That's why we specialize in holistic treatments that utilize HRT, combined with healthy nutrition, supplements, and fitness plans that maximize hormone replacement treatments.
If you've been suffering through menopause, is HRT the answer? That's hard to say without an examination by a trusted physician, but one thing's for sure. When a woman balances her hormone levels, she has a much better shot at living a regular life with limited depression, weight gain, mood swings, and hot flashes.
Here are just a few additional benefits of HRT and anti-aging treatments for females:
Hormone imbalance causes a litany of issues. But with anti-aging treatments for women, females can better process calcium, keep their cholesterol levels safe, and maintain a healthy vagina. By replenishing the body's estrogen supply, HRT can relieve symptoms from menopause and protect against osteoporosis. But that's just the start.
Global Life Rejuvenation's patients report many more benefits of HRT and anti-aging medicine for women:
If you're ready to feel better, look better, and recapture the vitality of your youth, it's time to contact Global Life Rejuvenation. It all starts with an in-depth consultation, where we will determine if HRT and anti-aging treatments for women are right for you. After all, every patient's body and hormone levels are different. Since all our treatment options are personalized, we do not have a single threshold for treatment. Instead, we look at our patient's hormone levels and analyze them on a case-by-case basis.
At Global Life Rejuvenation, we help women rediscover their youth with HRT treatment for women. We like to think of ourselves as an anti-aging concierge service, guiding and connecting our patients to the most qualified HRT physicians available. With customized HRT treatment plan for women, our patients experience fewer menopausal symptoms, less perimenopause & menopause depression, and often enjoy a more youth-like appearance.
Growth hormone peptides are an innovative therapy that boosts the natural human growth hormone production in a person's body. These exciting treatment options help slow down the aging process and give you a chance at restoring your youth.
Sermorelin is a synthetic hormone peptide, like GHRH, which triggers the release of growth hormones. When used under the care of a qualified physician, Sermorelin can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and help you feel much younger.
Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy has been used for years to treat hormone deficiencies. Unlike HGH, which directly replaces declining human growth hormone levels, Sermorelin addresses the underlying cause of decreased HGH, stimulating the pituitary gland naturally. This approach keeps the mechanisms of growth hormone production active.
Ipamorelin helps to release growth hormones in a person's body by mimicking a peptide called ghrelin. Ghrelin is one of three hormones which work together to regulate the growth hormone levels released by the pituitary gland. Because Ipamorelin stimulates the body to produce growth hormone, your body won't stop its natural growth hormone production, which occurs with synthetic HGH.
Ipamorelin causes growth hormone secretion that resembles natural release patterns rather than being constantly elevated from HGH. Because ipamorelin stimulates the natural production of growth hormone, our patients can use this treatment long-term with fewer health risks.
One of the biggest benefits of Ipamorelin is that it provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies. Ipamorelin can boost a patient's overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life.
When there is an increased concentration of growth hormone by the pituitary gland, there are positive benefits to the body. Some benefits include:
Whether you are considering our HRT and anti-aging treatments for women in Desoto Lakes, FL, we are here to help. The first step to reclaiming your life begins by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation. Our friendly, knowledgeable HRT experts can help answer your questions and walk you through our procedures. From there, we'll figure out which treatments are right for you. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to looking and feeling better than you have in years!
In some Florida counties, officials are waiting for water to recede before the damage can be fully assessed.Hurricane Ian made landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast one week ago, on Sept. 28, where the coastal city of Fort Myers was particularly devastated. Farther inland, tracing the storm’s path through central Florida, Ian deposited unprecedented rain and flood waters, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association.In south central Florida — rural Highlands, Hardee and DeSoto counties — f...
In some Florida counties, officials are waiting for water to recede before the damage can be fully assessed.
Hurricane Ian made landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast one week ago, on Sept. 28, where the coastal city of Fort Myers was particularly devastated. Farther inland, tracing the storm’s path through central Florida, Ian deposited unprecedented rain and flood waters, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association.
In south central Florida — rural Highlands, Hardee and DeSoto counties — flooding is impeding power restoration, geographic access and damage surveillance.
Roughly a week since the storm, standing water is standing in the way.
Highlands County has seen significant structural damage during prior hurricane seasons, according to spokesperson Gloria Rybinski.
She said she remembers the destruction from high winds during Hurricane Irma in 2018, but the flood damage left by Hurricane Ian can’t be underestimated.
“For some people, it’s more dramatic to see your roof gone,” Rybinski said. “But it’s just as hard to see your living room flooded.”
Days after the storm, the county experienced near-blanket power outages, too. Almost 100% of customers were disconnected for at least 24 hours.
By Sunday, power returned to 90% of Duke Energy accounts in Highlands County.
The county is serviced by four providers: Duke Energy, Florida Power & Light, Glades Electric Cooperative, Inc. and the Peace River Electric Cooperative, Inc.
On Thursday, 200 customers serviced by local power cooperatives remained without power.
Point-of-distribution sites for residents closed operations on Tuesday in Highlands County, after distributing a combined total of more than 14,000 pallets of food, water, ice and tarps.
Rybinski, who rode along on attempted search-and-rescue missions, said that despite severe flooding, in some cases: “People didn’t want to leave.”
Though zero high-water rescues were performed, emergency responders transported food and water to areas to several low-lying mobile home parks that were identified as severely flooded: Avon Park Mobile Home Park, Dinner Lake Haven Mobile Home Park, Town & Country Mobile Home Park, Bonnet Lake Campground and Lakeside Mobile Home Park.
1 of 3
A home on Navarre Avenue in Sebring experienced a collapsed ceiling.
Courtesy of Highlands County
Norbert’s Fishing Camp on U.S. 98 is underwater after Arbuckle Creek rose from Hurricane Ian rain waters.
Courtesy of Highlands County
3 of 3
Damage to metal roofing is visible to a Lake Placid home on Bimini Street.
Courtesy of Highlands County
As water recedes, the full picture of agricultural impacts will also come into focus.
“There is a good deal of grove land and grazing pastures that are underwater,” she said.
Rybinski said conservative estimates show a blow to the citrus industry in Highlands County, with around 50% crop-loss totaling more than $40 million in damages.
Still, she said, ranchers are accepting cattle from Hardee and DeSoto counties, where flooding is even worse.
Historic flooding is hindering recovery efforts in Hardee County.
Since the storm made landfall, 115 boat-rescue missions and four pet rescues were completed, according to Hardee County Interim Chief James Simpson. He said numerous helicopter rescues to inaccessible areas were also performed by the U.S. Coast Guard.
“We’re in the demobilization phase right now,” he said, with no confirmed deaths as of Thursday.
Fire and EMS Strike teams were reassigned and dispatched to Lee County on Tuesday and Wednesday.
1 of 2
Members of Hardee County Emergency Operations responding to Hurricane Ian stand outside of headquarters in Wauchula, Florida. (Left to right: Hardee County Sheriff Vent Crawford, Oregon State Fire Marshal Incident Commander Ian Yocum, Hardee County Emergency Management Director Amalia Arista, Hardee County Fire Rescue Interim Chief James Simpson.)
Courtesy of Brett Deedon
2 of 2
Oregon State Fire Marshal members, who traveled to Hardee County in response to Hurricane Ian, build plywood "trap sites," or information boards on Thursday, Oct. 7.
On Thursday, 99 roads in Hardee County were closed or rerouted due to severe flooding, sinkholes or bridge collapses, according to emergency management director Amalia Arista.
“We have an entire community that couldn’t get in or out because the river flooding was so bad,” she said.
Upwards of 18 inches of rain caused widespread flooding and the historic overflowing of the Peace River, which measured 27.3 feet at its peak.
Arista said the high waters that trapped people in their neighborhoods is continuing to make it unsafe to restore power – even as 99% of the county has been reconnected.
“As much as we’re trying to get everyone restored — until that river recedes, it’s really an unknown,” Arista said.
Due to the high volume of flood water, a growing number of homes must pass a safety inspection before reactivating power.
Incident Commander Ian Yocum said the combination of power outages and blocked roadways in Hardee County is making it difficult to communicate with residents.
"It really is word of mouth until you get cell service, until you get roads open," Yocum said.
Residents with cell service are recommended to monitor updates on the Hardee County Emergency Management Facebook profile.
To ensure communication with residents without cell service, officials are building 10 "trap sites," or plywood boards where information can be physically posted.
On Thursday, two point-of-distribution sites were still active in DeSoto County to distribute food, water and tarps:
Updated information on shelter, fuel, road closures and PODS can be found on the DeSoto County Emergency Management Facebook profile.
Gabriella Paul covers the stories of people living paycheck to paycheck in the greater Tampa Bay region for WUSF. She's also a Report for America corps member. Here’s how you can share your story with her.
As of Monday, Oct. 10, low-income Florida residents who have been affected by Hurricane Ian may qualify for assistance even if they were not eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) before.The U.S. Department of Agriculture granted the request from Florida's Department of Children and Families to provide assistance to families and individuals with income limits and qualifying disaster-...
As of Monday, Oct. 10, low-income Florida residents who have been affected by Hurricane Ian may qualify for assistance even if they were not eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) before.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture granted the request from Florida's Department of Children and Families to provide assistance to families and individuals with income limits and qualifying disaster-related expenses after Hurricane Ian decimated the west coast and left a swath of destruction across the state.
DCF estimates over 740,000 households in Florida may be eligible, according to a USDA release.
“USDA stands with our neighbors in Florida to continue to provide vital food assistance as they deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Ian,” said Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. “The Department is prepared to extend any available flexibility that will improve food access during their road to recovery.”
Did Hurricane Ian damage your home, vehicle? Disaster victims may apply to FEMA for financial help.
How to help:Where to offer time, money, food and other supplies for Hurricane Ian victims
Helping Hurricane Ian survivors:Aid workers have helped thousands in Florida hit by Hurricane Ian. The work is far from over
Here's what you need to know:
The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) provides a streamlined process to allow people who are not currently getting SNAP benefits to receive food assistance due to loss of income from Hurricane Ian.
Households can use these food assistance benefits, which are loaded onto an EBT card that works at authorized retailers like a debit card, to buy breads, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, poultry, dairy, and plants and seeds to grow food for your household.
The EBT card cannot be used for alcoholic beverages, pet foods, paper products, household supplies, tobacco products, vitamins, medicines, or other non-food items.
Ordinarily, EBT cards cannot be used for hot, prepared foods for immediate consumption but that restriction has been waived statewide through Oct. 31.
To qualify for D-SNAP:
Eligibility will go much faster if you can provide a state driver's license and a Social Security number.
What you need to know:11 helpful links to help you navigate Ian recovery, relief
Job loss:Hurricane Ian wiped out jobs across Southwest Florida. Here's what you need to know
According to DCF, D-SNAP will be rolled out in phases by county starting Monday, Oct. 10. You must pre-register online at myflfamilies.com/dsnap/. Pre-registration is only available for counties designated in each phase (see below for dates). If you are unable to preregister online, there will be in-person D-SNAP event locations.
Verification is required for some parts of the application. After registering, you must complete a phone interview by calling the D-SNAP Call Center (850-663-1919, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST) on a designated day or attend an on-site event at a later date. Phone interview times are designated based on the first letter of the applicant’s last name.
Online pre-registration will be open for Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee, Sarasota, and Polk counties from Monday, Oct. 10 at 1:00 a.m. through Sunday, Oct. 16 at 11:00 p.m.
Phase two will include Flagler, Highlands, Manatee, Orange, Pinellas, and St. Johns with preregistration available between Monday, Oct. 17 and Sunday, Oct. 23. Telephone verification will be available between Thursday, Oct. 20 and Sunday, Oct. 23.
Phase three will include Hillsborough, Lake, Osceola, Putnam, Seminole, and Volusia with preregistration available between Monday, Oct. 24 and Sunday, Oct. 30. Telephone verification will be available between Thursday, Oct. 27 and Sunday, Oct. 30.
Get help now:Hurricane Ian victims can get help with aid, shelter and more with these resources
Covering your losses:How to get the most out of your flood insurance after Ian
Hurricane Ian flooded my house:What do I need to do now?
Did you lose food during power outages from Hurricane Ian? If you're eligible to receive SNAP benefits in impacted areas of Florida, you may be able to get it replaced.
A lot of Floridians received advance SNAP benefits before Ian hit. Florida's Department of Children and Families released over $235 million in October Supplemental Nutrition Assistance benefits early, on Sept. 27, to more than 773,500 households (1.4 million individuals) to help with storm preparation in case families needed to evacuate and to cover non-perishable items, according to the DCF website.
DCF has received approval to issue mass replacements of SNAP benefits to people in the following counties who didn't get an early release: Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Okeechobee, Orange, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, and Volusia. The DCF says they are still awaiting approval for Osceola and St. John’s counties. These replacement benefits were automatically loaded to EBT cards Monday, Oct. 3. You can check your EBT balance here or call 1-888-356-3281.
If you received early benefits, you are not eligible for mass replacements of benefits, However, if you need to replace food items lost during the storm in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Lake, Lee, Osceola, Sarasota, and St. Johns counties, you can apply online: Apply in English | Español | Kreyòl Deadline for application is Oct. 17
In addition, DCF has requested approval for existing SNAP participants to receive the maximum benefit for their household size. Once granted, existing SNAP participants will receive the difference between their normal monthly benefit amount and the maximum amount allowable.
If you do not currently receive Florida SNAP benefits, you can see if you're eligible and apply here. These benefits can be used to buy breads, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, poultry, dairy, and plants and seeds to grow food for your household to eat.
State offices in DeSoto and Lee remain closed. The DMS-managed Orlando Hurston Building south tower will remain closed for now due to sustained damage, while the north tower will be open, and the Daytona Regional Service Center may be closed temporarily due to sustained damage.
Family Resource Support Centers are being opened across the impacted counties to provide access to community resources and support from department staff including Hope Navigators, behavior health partners who specialize in disaster recovery response, and public benefit eligibility specialists to help individuals and families who need assistance due to Hurricane Ian. FRSCs also work with local organizations and partners to provide more resources to help meet the needs of affected residents. Visit MyFLFamilies.com/FRSC for location details and hours, or call 850-300-HOPE to speak to a Hope Navigator.
C. A. Bridges is a Digital Producer for the USA TODAY Network, working with multiple newsrooms across Florida. Local journalists work hard to keep you informed about the things you care about, and you can support them by subscribing to your local news organization. Read more articles by Chris here and follow him on Twitter at @cabridges
FLORIDA — Visitors in Pinellas County and other Florida west coast counties are being told to get out now as Hurricane Ian approaches the Gulf Coast."This could be the storm we hope will never come to our shores," said St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch during a 10 a.m. news conference.As of 7 a.m., the National Weather Service in Tampa said Hurricane Ian is located 575 miles south of Fort Myers and is moving 14 mph northwest with sustained maximum winds of 75 mph, making it a Category 1 hurricane.Find out w...
FLORIDA — Visitors in Pinellas County and other Florida west coast counties are being told to get out now as Hurricane Ian approaches the Gulf Coast.
"This could be the storm we hope will never come to our shores," said St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch during a 10 a.m. news conference.
As of 7 a.m., the National Weather Service in Tampa said Hurricane Ian is located 575 miles south of Fort Myers and is moving 14 mph northwest with sustained maximum winds of 75 mph, making it a Category 1 hurricane.
But it won't remain a minor hurricane, said Pinellas County Emergency Management Director Cathie Perkins.
She said the hurricane is forecast to hit Tampa Bay as a Category 3 hurricane and possibly a Category 4 hurricane with hurricane-force winds extending 90 miles from the center of the storm.
"Everyone in Pinellas County will experience some impact from the storm," she said. "If you live in a storm surge area, you need to prepare to evacuate. This is no joke. This is life-threatening."
Related: Hurricane Ian Brings Storm Surge Threat, Hurricane Watch For Tampa Bay
She said levels A, B and C evacuation zones, along with all mobile home residents, are under voluntary evacuation orders with mandatory evacuations to be announced soon.
She urged residents and businesses to double-check their evacuation zones because thousands more have been added to this year's evacuation map.
"I need everyone, businesses and individuals, to check their evacuation zone," Perkins said. "It changed for a significant number of people in the county. If you didn't evacuate in the past, you may have to evacuate now."
And when that announcement for mandatory evacuations is made, Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said that means "you must evacuate."
"All information tells us this is very serious," he said. "A mandatory evacuation will come and, when it does, our first responders will be taken off the streets. This is the real deal. If you don't evacuate, you're on your own. No one's going to come to rescue you."
The National Hurricane Center has issued a Hurricane Watch and a Storm Surge Watch for Pinellas County.
While some uncertainty remains in the forecast track, life-threatening storm surge, major flooding and wind damage are expected in Pinellas County. Storm surge of 10 to 15 feet will occur along the coast and Tampa Bay, according to the National Weather Service.
Hurricane-force winds are possible within the watch area in the next 48 hours.
The Pinellas County Commission declared a State of Local Emergency on Saturday and the Pinellas County Emergency Operations Center has been activated.
Public Works crews have been clearing vegetation and storm drains and pre-positioning heavy equipment for storm response.
In anticipation of 10 to 15 inches of rain, Pinellas County Public Works has lowered Taylor Lake in Largo and will be lowering Lake Seminole. The Southwest Water Management District will lower Lake Tarpon.
He said the sheriff's office has already moved its high-water rescue vehicles into place, anticipating major flooding in the county.
"We're anticipating 10 to 15 inches of rain and the ground is already saturated," Perkins said. "We're hearing that the hurricane is trending to slow down, so it could potentially sit on top of us for 48 hours. This is going to be very scary."
She said there are 99 hospitals and long-term care facilities in Zones A, B and C are already evacuating patients and residents.
More than 4,000 people have signed up for special needs shelters and the county will begin transporting some of those residents Monday evening.
Also Monday at 6 p.m., the county will open four hurricane shelters:
Other shelters will open on Tuesday at 7 a.m. Click here for locations.
A pet-friendly shelter is also located in Palm Harbor. Residents must bring a carrier, supplies, license and immunization records. Click here.
Perkins said the Pinellas Suncoast Transportation Authority will offer free rides to shelters from 5 a.m. to midnight. Pets will be permitted on evacuation buses as long as they are in a pet carrier. For more information, call the PSTA InfoLine at 727-540-1900 or click here.
Those planning to leave the area, should make preparations now and leave early, Perkins said, because "a one-hour drive could become a 10-hour drive."
One way or another, she said residents need to prepare to evacuate, not to hunker down.
"There will be 6 to 8 feet of storm surge that could push houses off their foundations, significant debris and roads could be washed away," she said.
"I've lived here all my life, and we've had scares before. I know it's easy to take these storms for granted," said Pinellas County Commission Chairman Charlie Justice. "But now is not the time to take anything for granted. There is no scenario where we will not feel the impacts."
During an 11 a.m. news conference, Gov. Ron DeSantis said he's activated 5,000 Florida National Guardsmen and another 2,000 National Guard members are on their way to Florida from Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia and Louisiana to assist.
"Even if the eye of the storm doesn't hit the region, you're going to have significant wind impacts," DeSantis said.
He told residents to be ready to take care of their families and pets, and leave their homes behind.
"We can fix property damage. We can help rebuild," he said. "You have to take care of yourself."
DeSantis said the state has been in touch with grocery store chains to make sure there is plenty of water and other supplies available to residents.
The state has also made arrangements to resupply gas stations, although gas shortages will be inevitable with the closure of Port Tampa Bay, which is being completely shut down in anticipation of the hurricane, the only port in Florida to close.
"We've contacted folks to bring fuel in if necessary, but gas stations are now getting resupplied," he said. "But there is likely to be some interruption of fuel at some point, so people just have to be prepared."
Pinellas County updated evacuation zones for the 2022 hurricane season can be checked using one of these ways:
Before leaving home:
2022 Atlantic Hurricane SeasonWUSF is part of the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network, which provides up-to-the minute weather and news reports during severe weather events on radio, online and on social media for 13 Florida Public Media stations. It’s available on WUSF 89.7 FM, online at WUSFNews.org and thr...
2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season
WUSF is part of the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network, which provides up-to-the minute weather and news reports during severe weather events on radio, online and on social media for 13 Florida Public Media stations. It’s available on WUSF 89.7 FM, online at WUSFNews.org and through the free Florida Storms app, which provides geotargeted live forecasts, information about evacuation routes and shelters, and live local radio streams.
Published October 1, 2022 at 1:04 PM EDT
Sheriff's offices around Florida are assisting DeSoto County in dealing with flooding after Hurricane Ian.
In a post on the DeSoto County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, the department showed how deputies from Lafayette County in North Florida, Hendry County in South Florida, and Taylor County in the Florida Panhandle.
The deputies are seen loading bottles of water onto boats and then unloading them at a boat ramp before delivering them to residents who are landlocked from the flooding.
1 of 8
Deputies with the DeSoto, Lafayette, Hendry and Taylor County Sheriff’s Offices load water, unload at a boat ramp, and then leave to deliver it to those landlocked from the flooding in DeSoto County.
DeSoto County Sheriff's Office / Facebook
2 of 8
Deputies with the DeSoto, Lafayette, Hendry and Taylor County Sheriff’s Offices load water, unload at a boat ramp, and then leave to deliver it to those landlocked from the flooding in DeSoto County.
3 of 8
Deputies with the DeSoto, Lafayette, Hendry and Taylor County Sheriff’s Offices load water, unload at a boat ramp, and then leave to deliver it to those landlocked from the flooding in DeSoto County.
4 of 8
Deputies with the DeSoto, Lafayette, Hendry and Taylor County Sheriff’s Offices load water, unload at a boat ramp, and then leave to deliver it to those landlocked from the flooding in DeSoto County.
5 of 8
Deputies with the DeSoto, Lafayette, Hendry and Taylor County Sheriff’s Offices load water, unload at a boat ramp, and then leave to deliver it to those landlocked from the flooding in DeSoto County.
6 of 8
Deputies with the DeSoto, Lafayette, Hendry and Taylor County Sheriff’s Offices load water, unload at a boat ramp, and then leave to deliver it to those landlocked from the flooding in DeSoto County.
DeSoto County Sheriff's Office / Facebook
7 of 8
Deputies with the DeSoto, Lafayette, Hendry and Taylor County Sheriff’s Offices load water, unload at a boat ramp, and then leave to deliver it to those landlocked from the flooding in DeSoto County.
DeSoto County Sheriff's Office / Facebook
8 of 8
Deputies with the DeSoto, Lafayette, Hendry and Taylor County Sheriff’s Offices load water, unload at a boat ramp, and then leave to deliver it to those landlocked from the flooding in DeSoto County.
DeSoto County Sheriff's Office / Facebook
Flooding is widespread across the county, including the Peace River, which breached and has made Highway 70 impassable.
It is a policy of the Legislature that the state’s water resources be managed at a state and regional level. The Department of Environmental Protection, responsible for the administration of the water resources at the state level, exercises general supervisory authority over the state’s five water management districts, which are responsible for the administration of the water resources at the regional level.The state's five water management districts include the Northwest Florida Water Management District, the Suwannee Riv...
It is a policy of the Legislature that the state’s water resources be managed at a state and regional level. The Department of Environmental Protection, responsible for the administration of the water resources at the state level, exercises general supervisory authority over the state’s five water management districts, which are responsible for the administration of the water resources at the regional level.
The state's five water management districts include the Northwest Florida Water Management District, the Suwannee River Water Management District, the St. Johns River Water Management District, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, and the South Florida Water Management District. The department exercises general supervisory authority over the districts through a cooperative working relationship and guidance memos.
The four core mission areas of the water management districts are: (1) water supply, (2) water quality, (3) flood protection and floodplain management, and (4) natural systems.
Among other responsibilities, there are primary ways that the water management districts implement these mission areas.
Regulatory programs delegated to the districts include programs to manage the consumptive use of water, well construction, and environmental resource permitting. In their annual budgets, the districts must reflect these core mission areas. For more on district budgets, click here.
District | Counties | Headquarters | Website |
---|---|---|---|
Northwest Florida Water Management District | Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson (western half), Leon, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla, Walton & Washington | 81 Water Management DriveHavana, FL 32333850-539-5999 | http://www.nwfwater.com/ |
Suwannee River Water Management District | Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor, Union and portions of Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Jefferson & Levy | 9225 CR 49Live Oak, FL 32060386-362-1001800-226-1066 (Florida only) | http://www.mysuwanneeriver.com/ |
St. Johns River Water Management District | Brevard, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Nassau, Seminole, St. Johns, Volusia, and portions of Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Lake, Marion, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola & Putnam | P.O. Box 1429Palatka, FL 32178-1429386-329-4500800-451-7106 | http://www.sjrwmd.com/ |
Southwest Florida Water Management District | Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Sumter, and portions of Charlotte, Highlands, Lake, Levy, Marion & Polk | 2379 Broad St.Brooksville, FL 34604-6899352-796-7211800-423-1476 (Florida only) | http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/ |
South Florida Water Management District | Broward, Collier, Dade, Glades, Hendry, Lee, Martin, Monroe, Palm Beach, St. Lucie, and portions of Charlotte, Highlands, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola & Polk | 3301 Gun Club RoadWest Palm Beach, FL 33406-3089561-686-8800800-432-2045 (Florida only) | https://www.sfwmd.gov/ |