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 â 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 â 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 Pine Brook, 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 â 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 Pine Brook, 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 Pine Brook, 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 â 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 â 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 â 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!
Florida’s citrus industry appears to have borne the brunt of Hurricane Ian.Reports from the region indicate that the damage could potentially be worse than after Hurricane Irma, which cut Florida citrus production by a third in 2017, reported Fresh Fruit Portal.Meanwhile, strawberry, tomato, and watermelon fields suffered significant damage and losses due t...
Florida’s citrus industry appears to have borne the brunt of Hurricane Ian.
Reports from the region indicate that the damage could potentially be worse than after Hurricane Irma, which cut Florida citrus production by a third in 2017, reported Fresh Fruit Portal.
Meanwhile, strawberry, tomato, and watermelon fields suffered significant damage and losses due to Hurricane Ian, according to the Florida Agricultural Statistics Service. New plantings for leafy vegetable fields were expected to be delayed due to wet conditions.
George Hamner, former president of Indian River Exchange Packers and now affiliated with Egan Fruit Packing LLC, in Fellsmere, Fla., told The Packer that fruit loss varies from 40% to 70% in impacted Florida counties, while surrounding counties will probably average around 10%.
“Some groves will be abandoned, while it will take those in [the] most severely hit areas several years to recover,” Hamner told The Packer.
Meanwhile, in other ag news:
California drought update: Farmers in Central California are reporting wells running dry as a result of drought now entering its third year, the Associated Press reported.
With another La Nina being forecast this winter, there’s little hope the megadrought in the American West will be alleviated soon. The AP reported 1,200 wells in California have run dry this year as aquifers emptied. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor puts 94% of the state in extreme or exceptional drought.
In San Diego, The avocado crop shrank by 46% last year, worth just $82.8 million, making it the first time the crop has produced less than $100 million in revenue, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
California is hardly alone. For example, water supplies are so low in Arizona, for example, that officials in Tempe are planning to reopen the Kyrene Water Reclamation Facility, which was closed due to budgetary reasons in 2010, the Arizona Capitol Times reported.
Small farmers: The head of the U.N. International Fund for Agriculture Development warned that unless investments are made in small farms, the world will face regular, global food crises, The Guardian reported.
Alvaro Lario said he wants the agency to invest in resilient small-scale farming so people can produce food for themselves, rather than being at the mercy of circumstances. “Resilient means that when you have a shock to your income – like currently, with inflation – when you have a shock coming from extreme climate, you’re not going to fall from the brink of poverty into poverty or food insecurity,” Lario told The Guardian.
MONTVILLE, NJ – Navita Benjamin, who has been working at McDonald’s for more than 20 years, was recently honored for her dedication to the community during a special event where McDonald’s owner/operator Christopher Cottrell and the restaurant staff surprised her with decorations, flowers, and a gift basket.As a crewmember at McDonald’s in Pine Brook, Navita formed strong bonds with her colleagues and customers, and her friendly greetings at the drive thru have become known among local customers.The cele...
MONTVILLE, NJ – Navita Benjamin, who has been working at McDonald’s for more than 20 years, was recently honored for her dedication to the community during a special event where McDonald’s owner/operator Christopher Cottrell and the restaurant staff surprised her with decorations, flowers, and a gift basket.
As a crewmember at McDonald’s in Pine Brook, Navita formed strong bonds with her colleagues and customers, and her friendly greetings at the drive thru have become known among local customers.
The celebration was part of McDonald’s “Thank You Crew” initiative, which celebrates and recognizes crew members and managers for going above and beyond to serve the community.
“I feel so honored to be celebrated by my fellow crew members and The Cottrell Organization,” Benjamin said. “In the nearly 25 years I’ve been with McDonald’s, I’ve met so many incredible people and developed valuable professional skills. This restaurant and the Pine Brook community are home to me.”
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ENGLEWOOD, Fla. – Stunned Suncoast residents have begun the daunting task of cleaning up and rebuilding following the devastating passage of Hurricane Ian.The storm's eye blasted ashore Wednesday along this low-lying coastal area between Sarasota and Fort Myers that's popular with retirees for its low-cost housing and typic...
ENGLEWOOD, Fla. – Stunned Suncoast residents have begun the daunting task of cleaning up and rebuilding following the devastating passage of Hurricane Ian.
The storm's eye blasted ashore Wednesday along this low-lying coastal area between Sarasota and Fort Myers that's popular with retirees for its low-cost housing and typically balmy weather. Mobile home parks sit next to million-dollar houses.
“It’s just so sad to see everything broken. I knew it was going to be bad but this made me cry a bit," said Jayme McDonald, 42, a nurse who worked through the storm and returned home after the worst had passed. Friday morning, McDonald and her neighbor Rachel Allen walked their dogs through their partially flooded neighborhood off Old Englewood Boulevard.
LIVE COVERAGE:'Herculean effort' underway to rescue Floridians; Ian targets South Carolina
Allen, 34, owns a cleaning business and stayed home during the storm, which nearly shook their house apart. Their living room flooded, and her husband has already begun tearing out the flooring and walls, hoping to prevent the growth of black mold in late-summer humidity.
“We’re waiting to get ahold of the insurance company. But cell service is just so spotty so it’s just kind of wait and see," she said.
A few blocks away, Kevin Pruett, 42, surveyed the massive pine tree that had collapsed across the yard of his single-story home. Pruett regretted not evacuating and worries about how long it will take to restore electricity and running water. People are already scrounging for drinking water and searching in vain for gas, and in some cases dipping water from retention ponds to flush their toilets.
“You’re talking weeks or months to get electric," Pruett said. "There’s not enough materials or workers in the world to get it done faster.”
As of Friday morning, about 1.9 million customers in Florida were without power, officials said.
HURRICANE IAN TRACKER: Charting the path of where deadly storm will hit next
Like many residents who rode out the storm, Pruett said he believes it will have forever altered the area's social fabric. All around him, mobile homes have been tipped on their sides, steel street signs folded over like paper. More than a foot of water – with two alligators, officials said – blocks one of the main roads.
“It looks like a war zone. It feels like we’re in Ukraine. It’s sickening. It will take months to recover, years," said Don Brockley, 76, who has lived in the area off and on for 20 years. “For old people, it’s going to be hard. This was considered a once-in-a-lifetime hurricane.”
Brockley and dozens of others waited outside a Lowe's home improvement store early Friday, trading rumors of whether there were generators or plywood in stock.
Bill Fairbairn, 63, hoped to buy tarps to cover a gap where his carport tore away from his mobile home, exposing the room to the outside. Fairbairn moved to Florida from upstate New York a year ago to escape the snow and cold.
"It’s been great right up until yesterday," he laughed. "I’m one of the few luckier ones. For some people, it blew the walls out, and some places just collapsed. At least mine is still standing.”
Sitting on the front patio of his home at the Florida Pines Mobile Home Court, Monty Covert puffed a cigarette and waited for his brother-in-law to return with beer. Asking the time – 7:15 a.m. – Covert good-naturedly complained the liquor store should have opened 15 minutes earlier.
Covert is retired from the Navy, sailing the world on a tugboat. He credits his military service with his ability to adapt to the drastically changed neighborhood and his somewhat fatalistic approach to life. Covert had planned to evacuate but early-arriving winds knocked down trees on either side of the driveway, blocking his escape. He slept through the storm.
“I said I’ll either get up alive or not at all," Covert said. "And then it got to be daylight and yeah, you always see it on TV and think things like this aren’t going to happen to you. And then it does.”
Covert said the only damage his home suffered was the loss of the porch's metal roofing, crediting the mobile home with being built of stronger materials five decades ago. For him, the worst damage came after he decided to drive his truck through the storm surge to check on his former wife. He got stuck in the deep water, he said, and because he can't walk well, good Samaritans had to carry him to safety 300 yards away.
He now regrets going to check on her.And he's wondering whether to repair the damage or collect an insurance check.
“Do you rebuild or do you just condemn the place and move on?” he asked, stubbing out his cigarette.
A little later in the morning, Pruett once again looked at the damage – from the submerged cars to the downed power lines and the trees laying across roads and yards and driveways.
Pruett said he normally splits his time between landscaping and crypto mining, but with the power out, he's going to be spending less time at the computer in the coming days.
“It’s time to get the chainsaw rocking."
More coverage of Hurricane Ian
Florida Division of Emergency Management Led Historic Disaster Response and Recovery Efforts in 2022TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) highlight the State of Florida’s groundbreaking emergency response actions taken this year and the Division’s ongoing disaster recovery efforts to support rebuilding and resiliency in impacted communities.“Thanks to the Governor’s leadership, the Division executed...
Florida Division of Emergency Management Led Historic Disaster Response and Recovery Efforts in 2022
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) highlight the State of Florida’s groundbreaking emergency response actions taken this year and the Division’s ongoing disaster recovery efforts to support rebuilding and resiliency in impacted communities.
“Thanks to the Governor’s leadership, the Division executed our fastest emergency responses, cut through red tape and implemented innovative solutions to ease the recovery process for residents and businesses rebuilding from disasters,” said FDEM Director Kevin Guthrie. “I want to thank my staff and the members of the State Emergency Response Team for their tireless efforts this year to serve the people of Florida in their times of need.”
2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season
Ian – Hurricane Ian made landfall on September 28 as a dangerous high-end Category 4 storm in Lee and Charlotte Counties, bringing strong winds, heavy rainfall and significant storm surge before crossing over the state, resulting in widespread impacts. The Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) approved Governor Ron DeSantis’ request for a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Florida as a result of Hurricane Ian on September 29.
Nicole – Hurricane Nicole made landfall on November 10 as a Category 1 storm in Indian River County and traveled up the Peninsula and through the Florida Panhandle before exiting into Georgia. This event brought widespread coastal erosion on the East Coast, resulting in damage or degradation to many structures near the water and causing an estimated $213,652,220 in damages. The response to the impacts of Nicole was made more complex by the ongoing Ian recovery efforts, as responders were still operating in the field and many structures remained vulnerable. Over 8,500 hot meals were served during this event and shelters supported survivors displaced from their homes. Response and recovery efforts continue in the affected areas.
Southwest and Central Florida Tornadoes
Northwest Florida Chipola Fire Complex
Disaster Recovery Funding
Throughout the state’s response efforts, FDEM continued to prioritize recovery funding for communities impacted by recent disasters. The Division has distributed more than $7.8 billion in critical disaster funding during Governor DeSantis’ first term in office – the most the Division has ever paid out within four years. Disaster recovery funding programs include:
Mutual Aid Efforts
Florida was heavily impacted during the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season, prompting the Division to request mutual aid through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) during the Hurricane Ian response. EMAC is a national mutual aid system that allows states to share resources from all disciplines, protect personnel who deploy and be reimbursed for mission-related costs. During Hurricane Ian, 86 EMAC missions were fulfilled by 25 assisting states, bringing in over 2,100 responders to support air operations, law enforcement, search and rescue, fire rescue, emergency management, structural engineering/assessments, incident management teams and many other specialized areas.
The Division also facilitates and supports the intrastate Florida Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement (SMAA), where local agencies deploy within Florida to assist their fellow counties/municipalities during a time of need. In 2022, over 522 SMAA missions were facilitated with 327 unique jurisdictions providing assistance. Resources from across the state and country assisted with Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), Law Enforcement, Fire Rescue, All-Hazards Incident Management Teams (AHIMTs), power restoration, public works, structural assessments, continuity of government, recovery specialists and many more.
Due to the significant number of states willing to provide Florida with assistance during our times of need, the Division always stands ready to assist and provide aid to states responding to disasters. FDEM mutual aid efforts to assist other states this year include:
Shelter Program
In 2022, the Division’s Infrastructure Section surveyed 147 emergency shelters to assess their structural components and confirm their ability to be used as public shelter spaces. These surveys support the annual Shelter Development Report, where 57 facilities were identified for retrofit through grant funding through the Hurricane Loss Mitigation Program (HLMP). Additionally, four Fixed Capital Outlay (FCO) Projects appropriated by the Florida Legislature for essential facility hardening were started in 2022.
Technological Hazards
During 2022, the EPA Risk Management Program (RMP) conducted 36 on-site chemical facility inspections to ensure compliance with state and federal storage and environmental protection laws. From this program, $2,325,207 were collected in fees for re-distribution as grants for first responder hazardous material training and mitigation activities.
The Technological Hazards Section also dispersed the following grants:
State Mitigation and Resiliency
The Division’s Mitigation Bureau coordinated with Florida’s Chief Resilience Officer Dr. Wes Brooks to strategize on resiliency methods and potential programs.
The Division approved over $25 million in long-term hazard mitigation projects in areas impacted by disasters to help build more resilient communities and continues to actively work to pass federally obligated funds for previous Major Disaster Declarations, including Hurricanes Sally, Dorian, Michael, Irma, Mathew, Hermine and COVID-19.
Additionally, the Division successfully pushed eleven project sub-applications totaling over $75 million for further consideration by FEMA for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) programs to provide grants to improve resilience and prepare communities for the impacts of storms, flooding and wildfires. The Division is still awaiting a final decision from FEMA.
The Division approved 33 county Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) Plans and presented mitigation information at 13 LMS Working Group meetings.
State Preparedness and Training
As a national leader in the field of emergency management, the Division remains committed to conducting, hosting and coordinating training for emergency personnel across the state:
The Division also paid out over $13 million in the following preparedness grant programs:
Editor’s note: Article updated on 9/30: Hurricane Ian regained strength as it reached the Atlantic Ocean as the weekend approached, and the storm began moving toward the Carolinas as a Category 1 storm. Meanwhile, recovery efforts were underway in Florida with Gov. Ron DeSantis saying it would take years to recover from the “500-year flood event,” reported The Wall Street Journal...
Editor’s note: Article updated on 9/30:
Hurricane Ian regained strength as it reached the Atlantic Ocean as the weekend approached, and the storm began moving toward the Carolinas as a Category 1 storm. Meanwhile, recovery efforts were underway in Florida with Gov. Ron DeSantis saying it would take years to recover from the “500-year flood event,” reported The Wall Street Journal.
Florida farmers were also rushing to reach their cattle after Hurricane Ian broke fences used to contain the animals and flooded fields prevented grazing. Many are attempting to repair fences quickly to better house the animals, with out-of-state help arriving to engage in the recovery efforts, reported Successful Farming.
On Wednesday, Hurricane Ian made landfall in Punta Gorda Florida, as a strong category-4 hurricane. According to hurricane expert, Phil Klotzbach, Hurricane Ian ties for the fourth-strongest hurricane to hit Florida, along with Hurricane Charley (2004) and the 1919 Florida Keys Hurricane.
A record breaking storm surge of over 8 feet was recorded in Fort Myers, Florida.
Inland, rainfall totals over one foot were reported, which threatened to overwhelm crops in central Florida. To make matters worse, wind gusts of over 155 mph were capable of completely uprooting trees, as well as causing damage to structures and farm equipment. Over 2 million lost power and lingering power outages are a major logistical concern. According to American Shipper, nearly $20 billion in revenue is at risk, as Ian is expected to cause major supply chain disruptions to manufacturing, agriculture and distribution sectors in Florida.
Update on #HurricaneIan hitting Florida: • More than 1.5 million without power • 1,800 flights already canceled in the U.S. on Thursday • Florida governor says Ian will rank in ‘top 5’ hurricanes to ever hit the state Follow live: https://t.co/zE7hNs80FO pic.twitter.com/fSg0bWlDvv
— AccuWeather (@accuweather) September 29, 2022
It remains to be seen exactly what damage Hurricane Ian will bring to the region, but the food industry has warned of, and prepared for, a number of implications from the storm, including:
Food Institute Digital Content Producer/Reporter Brittany Borer graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology. Chris Campbell serves as Senior Content Manager.
Timelapse shows storm surge inundating a courtyard and pool outside of a hotel in Fort Myers as Hurricane Ian hit Florida. https://t.co/mcXv8GMNPa pic.twitter.com/0xNJAPjiL2
— ABC News (@ABC) September 29, 2022