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 men, 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 men 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 TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), and growth hormone peptides. These therapies for men are effective, safe, and customized to fit your goals, so you can keep loving life as you get older.
TRT, 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 TRT and HRT experts with more than 13 years of experience.
For men, getting older comes with its perks, like living life on their own terms and not having to "sweat the small stuff" day in and day out. At the same time, there are aspects of aging that men dread, like hormonal changes. Yes, you read that right – men, not just women, go through hormonal changes as they age. For men, the biggest change involves a drop in testosterone.
Lower levels of testosterone can wreak havoc on a male's mind and body and when left untreated, can result in symptoms like:
Those symptoms are concerning, but with testosterone replacement therapy and anti-aging medicine, many males improve their quality of life with age. The good news is that TRT and anti-aging meds aren't only reserved for "old guys." In fact, there's no magic age at which men should start thinking about hormone replacement therapy. Everyone's body is different, so if you're experiencing the above conditions in your mid-30s, TRT could be a viable solution when you consult with a doctor.
Testosterone is a crucial hormone for men and plays an important role throughout the male lifespan. Most of a male's testosterone is produced through the testicles. Also called the male sex hormone, testosterone starts playing its part during puberty.
When a male goes through puberty, testosterone helps males develop:
As boys turn to men and men grow older, testosterone levels deplete naturally. Sometimes, events like injuries and chronic health conditions like diabetes can lower testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much T, it results in hypogonadism. When this happens, the testosterone must be replaced, or the male will suffer from symptoms like muscle loss, low libido, and even depression.
TRT is exactly what it sounds like: a treatment option for men that replaces testosterone so that your body regulates hormones properly and restores balance to your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates the symptoms that men experience with low T.
Originally lab-synthesized in 1935, testosterone has grown in popularity since it was produced. Today, TRT and other testosterone treatments are among the most popular prescriptions in the U.S.
Without getting too deep into the science, TRT works by giving your body the essential testosterone it needs to function correctly. As the primary androgen for both males and females, testosterone impacts many of the body's natural processes – especially those needed for overall health. For example, men with low T are more prone to serious problems like cardiovascular disease and even type-2 diabetes.
When your body quits making enough testosterone, it causes your health to suffer until a solution is presented. That's where TRT and anti-aging medicine for men can help. TRT helps balance your hormones and replenish your depleted testosterone. With time, your body will begin to heal, and many symptoms like low libido and irritability begin to diminish.
For men, aging is the biggest contributor to lower testosterone levels, though there are other causes like obesity, drug abuse, testicular injuries, and certain prescribed medications. Sometimes, long-term health conditions like AIDS, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease can lower testosterone levels.
When a man's testosterone levels drop significantly, it alters his body's ratio of estrogen and testosterone. Lower testosterone levels cause more abdominal fat, which in turn results in increased aromatase, which converts even more testosterone into estrogen.
If you're concerned that you might have low T, you're not alone. Millions of men in the U.S. feel the same way. The best way to find out if your testosterone is low is to get your levels tested.
For sustainable testosterone replacement therapy benefits, you must consult with hormone doctors and experts like those you can find at Global Life Rejuvenation. That way, you can find the root cause of your hormone problems, and our team can craft a personalized HRT plan tailored to your needs.
Are you used to blasting through a productive day and accomplishing all your daily goals? Do you find yourself losing muscle mass and the craving to be intimate with your partner? Does your partner complain about how irritable you have become? If you're not usually a curmudgeon, your body could be giving you a sign. It could be time to speak with a doctor about TRT and anti-aging medicine for men in Desoto Lakes, FL.
If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you might be battling against low testosterone:
One of the most common reasons that men choose TRT is because they have lost that "spark" with their partner. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not performing like they used to. Intimacy is a powerful part of any relationship. When a once-healthy sex life dwindles, it can cause serious relationship issues.
The good news is that low libido doesn't have to be a permanent problem. TRT and anti-aging medicines help revert hormone levels back into their normal range. When this happens, many men have a more enjoyable life full of intimacy and sex drive.
Weak erections – it's an uncomfortable subject for many men in the U.S. to talk about. It's even worse to experience first-hand. You're in the midst of an intimate moment, and you can't do your part. Despite being perfectly normal, many men put blame and shame upon themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while the inability to perform sexually can be caused by poor diet, obesity, and chronic health conditions, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.
Fortunately, weak erections are a treatable condition. The best way to regain your confidence and ability in bed is to speak with your doctor. Once any underlying conditions are discovered, options like TRT may be the best course of treatment.
Hair Loss
Do you find it harder and harder to work out and lift weights in the gym? Are you having problems lifting heavy items that you once had no problem lifting?
Recent studies show that when men are inactive, they lose .5% of muscle strength every year, from ages 25 to 60. After 60, muscle loss doubles every decade. While some muscle loss is common as men age, a significant portion can be tied to low testosterone levels. When a man's T levels drop, so does his muscle mass.
Testosterone is a much-needed component used in gaining and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors prescribe TRT Desoto Lakes, FL, for men having problems with strength. One recent study found that men who increased their testosterone levels using TRT gained as much as 2.5 pounds of muscle mass.
Whether your gym performance is lacking, or you can't lift heavy items like you used to, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.
If you're like millions of other men in their late 20s and 30s, dealing with hair loss is a reality you don't want to face. Closely related to testosterone decline and hormone imbalances, hair loss is distressing for many men. This common symptom is often related to a derivative of testosterone called DHT. Excess amounts of DHT cause hair follicles to halt their production, causing follicles to die.
Because hair located at the front and crown is more sensitive to DHT, it grows slower than other follicles and eventually stops growing permanently. Thankfully, TRT and anti-aging treatments for men in Desoto Lakes, FL, is now available to address hair loss for good.
While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone on your body. Whether you're suffering from thinning hair or hair loss across your entire head, TRT and other hormone therapies can stop hair loss and even reverse the process.
Also called "man boobs," gynecomastia is essentially the enlargement of male breast tissue. This increase in fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances and an increase in estrogen. For men, estrogen levels are elevated during andropause. Also called male menopause, andropause usually happens because of a lack of testosterone.
If you're a man between the ages of 40 and 55, and you're embarrassed by having large breasts, don't lose hope. TRT is a safe, effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of gynecomastia without invasive surgery. With a custom HRT and fitness program, you can bring your testosterone and estrogen levels back to normal before you know it.
Decreased energy was once considered a normal part of aging. Today, many doctors know better. Advances in technology and our understanding of testosterone show that low T and lack of energy often go hand-in-hand.
If you're struggling to enjoy activities like playing with your kids or hiking in a park due to lack of energy, it could be a sign of low T. Of course, getting tired is perfectly normal for any man. But if you're suffering from continual fatigue, a lack of enjoyment, or a decrease in energy, it might be time to speak with a doctor.
Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish activities you used to love, TRT could help.
A study from 2011 showed that men who lose a week's worth of sleep can experience lowered testosterone levels – as much as 15%, according to experts. Additional research into the topic found almost 15% of workers only get five hours of sleep (or less) per night. These findings suggest that sleep loss negatively impacts T levels and wellbeing.
The bottom line is that men who have trouble sleeping often suffer from lower testosterone levels as a result. If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, you might have low T.
TRT and anti-aging medicines can restore your T levels back to normal, which can help you sleep better with proper diet and exercise.
You're feeling down about everything, and there's no solid explanation for why you're in such a crummy mood. Your daily life is great and full of success, but you can't help but feel unexcited and unmotivated. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed – and it may stem from low testosterone.
A research study from Munich found that men with depression also commonly had low testosterone levels. This same study also found that depressed men had cortisol levels that were 67% higher than other men. Because higher cortisol levels lead to lower levels of testosterone, the chances of severe depression increase.
Depression is a very real disorder and should always be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. One treatment option gaining in popularity is TRT for depression. Studies show that when TRT is used to restore hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more improved mood. That's great news for men who are depressed and have not had success with other treatments like anti-depression medicines, which alter the brain's chemistry.
Ask anyone over the age of 50 how their memory is, and they'll tell you it wasn't what it used to be. Memory loss and lack of concentration occur naturally as we age – these aren't always signs of dementia or Alzheimer's.
However, what many men consider a symptom of age may be caused by low testosterone. A 2006 study found that males with low T levels performed poorly on cognitive skill tests. These results suggest that low testosterone may play a part in reducing cognitive ability. If you're having trouble staying on task or remembering what your schedule is for the day, it might not be due to your age. It might be because your testosterone levels are too low. If you're having trouble concentrating or remembering daily tasks, it could be time to talk to your doctor.
Why? The aforementioned study found that participating men experienced improved cognitive skills when using TRT.
Even though today's society is more inclusive of large people, few adults enjoy gaining weight as they age. Despite their best efforts, many men just can't shed the extra pounds around their midsections, increasing their risk of heart disease and cancer.
Often, male weight gain is caused by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism and cause weight to pile on. This phase of life is called andropause and happens when there is a lack of testosterone in the body. Couple that with high cortisol levels, and you've got a recipe for flabby guts and double chins.
Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.
The benefits of hormone replacement therapy for men are numerous. TRT not only grants relief from low-T symptoms but can help give protection against age-related diseases. Additionally, doctors now recognize male testosterone as an important role in alleviating depression.
Some of the most exciting benefits of TRT can include:
Because men do not go through a specific period of hormonal changes like women do (called menopause), many doctors refer to "male menopause" as androgen decline. This is just another term for low testosterone, but like female menopause, the symptoms can be serious and affect your quality of life.
The best way to fight back against male menopause is with male HRT treatment from Global Life Rejuvenation. We provide the following HRT treatments for men:
Our treatment options are personalized for your body and are available as creams, gels, injectables, and implantable pellets. To find out if testosterone replacement therapy is safe for you, contact Global Life Rejuvenation today to schedule your comprehensive testing and anti-aging treatment consultation.
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.
Benefits of Sermorelin include:
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 is suitable for both men and women. It provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies, boosting patients' overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life. When growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland using Ipamorelin, clients report amazing benefits.
Some of those benefits include:
Whether you are considering our TRT services, HRT for women, or our growth hormone peptide services, we are here to help. The first step to turning back the hand of time starts by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation.
Our friendly, knowledgeable TRT and 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!
866-793-9933
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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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/ |
