The Path to Pain-Free Healthy Living Begins at Sarasota Neuropathy Center
Diabetes and Neuropathy Treatment in Siesta Beach, FL
Living with neuropathy and diabetes is a challenge that millions of Americans face every day. Neuropathy - which comes in several forms and manifests in many ways - can affect any person. In the United States, neuropathy and diabetes often go hand-in-hand, with about 50% of people with diabetes suffering from the condition. In fact, the number of people with neuropathy is only increasing as diabetes becomes more common and the population ages.
People who suffer from these conditions must endure painful and disruptive symptoms, such as:
- Intense Bouts of Sharp, Burning Pain
- Numbness, Prickling, or Tingling in the Hands and Feet
- Decreased Muscle Strength and Paralysis
- Trouble with Balance and Coordination
- Unusually High Sensitivity to Touch
- Digestive and Bladder Control Issues
While some patients are at a greater risk of developing certain types of neuropathy, it doesn't discriminate between sex, race, age, or medical history. Fortunately, neuropathy and diabetes awareness are growing. By proxy, so are new and exciting treatment options that show dramatic improvements in both conditions.
If you've been suffering from the symptoms of diabetes or neuropathy and are in search of a truly effective solution, Sarasota Neuropathy Center can help. Unlike some clinics, our commitment is to offer more than temporary relief. As a diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in Siesta Beach, FL, we aim to rectify the distinct root causes underlying each patient's symptoms.
But to understand how we're able to accomplish that goal, you've got to first understand the nuances of neuropathy and diabetes.
There are several types of diabetes of which you should be aware:
Other types of diabetes can include:
- Monogenic Diabetes
- Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes
- Secondary Diabetes
Service Areas
Neuropathy 101
Neuropathy is a medical condition that arises when the peripheral nerves, which are responsible for transmitting signals between the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the body, fail to function correctly due to damage or disease. These nerves are essential for detecting sensations such as warmth, cold, and pain, as well as regulating muscle movement and carrying out automatic processes like digestion and heartbeat without our conscious involvement.
What Causes Neuropathy?
When patients speak with a nerve pain doctor for the first time, they have a lot of questions, and rightfully so. At Sarasota Neuropathy Center, one of the most frequently asked questions we hear centers around the factors causing neuropathy. If you're reading this article, chances are you have similar questions. While we can't pinpoint what's causing your neuropathy without proper testing, here are a few of the most common factors that can cause neuropathy to manifest:
Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of diabetes in adults - especially when a person has dealt with high blood sugar levels over long periods of time. When diabetes harms your nerves, it can lead to diabetic neuropathy and create a recurring trigger for this type of nerve damage.
Lack of Vitamins
Your nerves require certain vitamins, including B1 (thiamine), B12, B6, and vitamin E, to function correctly. Without a balanced diet or supplementation, deficiencies in these vitamins can lead to nerve damage over time.
Autoimmune Disorders
In certain instances, a person's immune system accidentally attacks its own cells, including nerve tissues. When this happens, neuropathy often follows. Diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome come under this category, where the immune system's misguided attack on nerves causes dysfunction and pain.
Genetics
Neuropathy can be inherited in some families, meaning it is passed down from one generation to another. When this occurs, peripheral nerves can be affected by genetic forms of the condition, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
Infections in the Body
There are certain viruses and bacteria that have the ability to attack nerve tissues and also cause conditions that can result in nerve damage. Examples of such infections include Lyme disease, HIV, and hepatitis C. These illnesses have the potential to either initiate or worsen existing neuropathy.
Physical Trauma
Physical injuries, whether caused by accidents, repetitive movements, or falls, can lead to nerve damage. Such injuries can result in neuropathy, causing loss of function and painful sensations in the affected region of the body.
What are the Different Types of Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that can affect one nerve, a group of related nerves, or multiple nerves in different parts of the body. The symptoms can vary depending on which type of nerve signals are affected. Keep reading for a closer look at the various types of neuropathies and how they affect you. If one of the categories below sounds familiar, make a mental note to discuss it with your diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in Siesta Beach, FL.
Peripheral Neuropathy:
Nerve Pain in Your Arms and Legs
Of all the different types of neuropathies, this is the kind that you're probably most familiar with, as it's the most common form treated in the U.S.It occurs most often when the nerves responsible for transmitting messages of touch and movement between your brain and your extremities don't function properly.
Symptoms can include:
- Sensations of Pins and Needles
- Numbness
- Soreness
- Cramping
- Shooting Pains
As the condition progresses, muscle weakness can occur, making it difficult to perform precise movements and walk without assistance. Balance problems are also common.
Focal Neuropathy:
Nerve Pain in a Specific Area
Focal neuropathy can sometimes result in damage to a single nerve or a cluster of nerves in a particular region, leading to localized pain or weakness. For instance, carpal tunnel syndrome can affect the wrist, causing numbness or weakness in the hand. Similarly, Bell's palsy can impact the face, resulting in droopiness or stiffness on one side of the face.
Other symptoms can include:
- Muscles Don't Work Correctly
- Sharp Pains
- Localized Pain and Weakness
Autonomic Neuropathy:
Nerve Pain That Controls Automatic Body Functions
This type of neuropathy affects the nerves that control involuntary bodily functions, such as heartbeat, digestion, and bladder control. When these nerves are damaged
You may experience symptoms such as:
- Dizziness When Standing Quickly
- Issues with Sexual Intercourse
- Constipation
- Issues Regulating Body Temperature
Compression Neuropathy:
Nerve Pain from Your Nerves Being Squeezed
This type of neuropathy happens when a nerve is pinched or squeezed. It happens most often when you are injured or have to repeat actions over and over again for work or sports purposes. Some examples include Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and sciatica. Symptoms can include:
Symptoms can include:
- Sharp Shooting Pain
- Weakness in the Affected Body Part
- Numbness
Whether you or someone you love are trying to live with neuropathy, you know that it can significantly alter lifestyles, making it difficult to perform day-to-day activities, work, or engage in hobbies. That's why it's so important to understand the underlying causes of your nerve pain, so that you can receive appropriate treatment and improve your quality of life. Taking care of the root problem, as well as managing the pain and other symptoms, is key to helping you stay active and comfortable. That's where working with a diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in Siesta Beach, FL, becomes crucial.
Addressing the Root Causes of Your Neuropathy
Sarasota Neuropathy Center is a nerve pain clinic that provides patients with a comprehensive, rewarding journey toward healing. It begins with a thorough evaluation that involves in-depth laboratory tests and analyses. This introductory step helps us identify the specific factors that contribute to your peripheral neuropathy. Our team of neuropathy treatment specialists then creates a personalized treatment plan tailored exclusively to your body and symptoms.
By providing you with a wide range of strategies aimed at addressing the root causes of your condition, you can achieve lasting relief and may even be able to reverse the effects of peripheral neuropathy.
Our advanced therapeutic options include:
Nerve Regeneration Equipment
We use cutting-edge machinery like laser light therapy and electromagnetic impulses to stimulate your nerves, encourage repair, and foster nerve tissue regeneration.
Vaso-Pulse Technology
This FDA-approved treatment sends signals through your feet and around your spine, which helps us highlight and rectify areas where nerve and vascular damage are present.
Antioxidants
By incorporating antioxidants into your treatment plan, we can better mitigate nerve damage and counteract oxidative stress.
Anti-Inflammatory Treatments
Inflammation exacerbates nerve damage and pain. Our neuropathy specialists use anti-inflammatory agents to help alleviate your symptoms
Minerals and Vitamins
Nutritional deficiencies impact nerve health. We supplement those deficiencies with vitamins and minerals to help nerve repair.
Immunomodulators
For neuropathies linked to autoimmune disorders, we employ immunomodulators that help regulate the immune system's activity to prevent it from attacking the body's own nerve tissues.
Lifestyle and Diet Changes
Changing your diet and incorporating exercise into your daily routine are two of the best ways to support nerve health.
Through a personalized, natural, and comprehensive treatment plan from Sarasota Neuropathy Center, reclaiming your life doesn't have to be a dream - it can be a true possibility.
Diabetes 101
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated levels of sugar in the blood. This happens when the body is unable to produce or use insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood glucose levels by facilitating its absorption into cells for energy or storage.
There are several types of diabetes of which you should be aware:
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes is a condition in which the immune system attacks and destroys the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, resulting in little to no insulin production. This condition usually develops in childhood or adolescence but can occur at any age. Patients who suffer from Type 1 Diabetes have to depend on daily insulin administration to manage their blood sugar levels.
The exact cause of this autoimmune reaction is not fully understood, although it is believed that genetic and environmental factors may contribute to it. Contact your diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in Siesta Beach, FL to learn more about this disease.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and is mainly caused by lifestyle factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, and poor diet. In this condition, the body either doesn't produce enough insulin or the cells don't use insulin effectively, leading to high blood sugar levels. Unlike Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes can sometimes be managed or reversed with lifestyle changes, although some people may still need medications or insulin therapy.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy and typically goes away after giving birth. However, it can give an indication of a woman's future risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The condition is caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy that make the body's cells more resistant to insulin. It's important to manage Gestational Diabetes to prevent complications for both mother and baby.
Other types of diabetes can include:
- Monogenic Diabetes
- Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes
- Secondary Diabetes
Genetics
You can have genetic links to both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. These links make you predisposed to the condition.
Lifestyle
Poor diet, lack of exercise, and obesity all contribute to insulin resistance, which causes diabetes
Autoimmune
Your immune system mistakenly targets and eliminates insulin-producing beta cells in your pancreas, leading to insufficient insulin production and Type 1 Diabetes.
Insulin Resistance
The most prevalent type of diabetes - Type 2 Diabetes - arises when cells resist insulin's effect, causing a spike in blood sugar levels.
What Are the Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes?
Many patients who speak with a diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in Siesta Beach, FL assume they have Type 2 Diabetes, but aren't 100% sure. At Sarasota Neuropathy Center, we would need to conduct tests to verify whether you have the disease. With that said, the following symptoms often manifest when you have Type 2 Diabetes.
Neuropathy
Type 2 Diabetes can cause nerve damage, which in turn causes tingling and numbness, especially in your feet and hands.
Tiredness
Chronic fatigue happens when your body can't utilize glucose for energy in the right way.
Excessive Urination and Thirst
When you have high blood sugar, your body's natural response is to eliminate excess fluids. This can cause you to urinate frequently and can also cause you to feel very thirsty.
Slow-Healing Wounds
High blood sugar impairs your body's ability to heal itself and resist infection.
Vision Changes
When your blood sugar spikes, it can cause visual disturbances that can blur your vision.
Unexplained Weight Loss
In uncontrolled Type 1 Diabetes, the body may begin to break down muscle and fat for energy, leading to unexplained weight loss.
If you believe you may have Type 2 Diabetes, it's important to get checked out ASAP. Regular health screenings and glucose monitoring are important for early detection and effective management of Type 2 Diabetes, as symptoms may not be apparent in the initial stages.
The Sarasota Neuropathy Approach to Diabetes Care
As a diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in Siesta Beach, FL, we are committed to offering a groundbreaking approach for Type 2 Diabetes, which focuses on reversing the condition by addressing the root causes rather than just managing the symptoms. Our innovative strategy goes beyond conventional treatment paradigms and delves into the underlying factors that contribute to Type 2 Diabetes.
We use a holistic methodology that includes comprehensive lifestyle interventions, nutritional counseling, and personalized medical oversight. This approach has consistently demonstrated remarkable efficacy in significantly reducing blood glucose levels among our patients.
Key highlights of our diabetes treatment include:
Book Appointment
The Path to Relief Starts with a Diabetic and Neuropathy Treatment Specialist in Siesta Beach, FL
At Sarasota Diabetes & Neuropathy Center, our mission is to empower you to overcome neuropathy, Type 2 Diabetes, or both by embarking on a transformative journey to wellness. By integrating advanced medical care with comprehensive lifestyle interventions, we help you achieve better health outcomes and a renewed sense of hope and control over your journey to a healthy life.
Latest News in Siesta Beach, FL
On Siesta Key: More hurricane damage raises questions about insurance reform, recovery
Lee Roodhttps://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/sarasota/2024/10/19/siesta-key-clean-up-underway-for-season-insurance-questions-loom/75735220007/
Joe and Carla Italiano flew down to Siesta Key from their permanent home in Ontario, Canada, after Hurricane Milton, fearing the worst − but h...
Joe and Carla Italiano flew down to Siesta Key from their permanent home in Ontario, Canada, after Hurricane Milton, fearing the worst − but hoping for better − for the famous beach destination that has been family's home away from home for more than 30 years.
But on Friday, just over a week after Hurricane Milton's landfall on the island, mountains of powdery sand leftover from two powerful hurricanes in the past month still sat on Siesta Key's famous beaches, with tons yet to clear. Piles of debris as tall as pickup trucks sat on roadsides in front of small old-Florida inns and multi-million-dollar homes.
Some waterfront bars and restaurants had announced happily to regulars that they were open, and crews were hard at work. But Tiki bars still lacked thatched roofs, beaches and boat docks were still closed, concrete walls lining Midnight Pass still lay crumbled, and a sense of hurricane fatigue was still in the air.
The Italianos, who lost a car at their Siesta Key home when their garage flooded, wanted their friends in Florida to know they believed everything would be fine.
"It doesn't look good now," Joe Italiano said. "But we are all gonna come back − business and residents − regardless."
Some wonder, however, whether Siesta Key and similarly affected communities in Southwest Florida will come back the same after the lashing wrought by flooding rain, storm surges and high winds this hurricane season, as well as with higher insurance premiums affecting homeowners and businesses alike.
In hurricane seasons past, house sales and inventory in damaged cities like Naples dropped for a year or 18 months after storms, according to Brian Tressider, sales manager of William Raveis Real Estate on Siesta Key. Part of that, he said, is that owners needed time to repair and renovate their properties.
Then, prices rebounded. New owners were willing to pay as much − or more − for vacation and retirement homes. "We're hoping that same thing happens again this year," he said.
But Tressider also said hurricanes Helene and Milton were a wake-up call for Siesta Key, which has avoided a lot of devastation for decades. Some residents skated by so many years without any storm damage, they felt comfortable self-insuring their properties.
In the meantime, insurance premiums for those who did carry policies tripled or quadrupled, and the last two hurricanes caused more damage that existing insurance companies budgeted for, Tressider said.
After several large insurers pulled out of the state or scaled back, the industry has tightened dramatically in Florida and the Legislature is under pressure to enact more insurance reforms to prevent it from collapsing, he said.
A resident of Siesta Key for 20 years, Tresidder said Milton caused a storm surge of six feet on Siesta Key, a little less than the seven feet caused by Hurricane Helene two weeks before. The storm surge flooded his own home and caused a different, more fierce kind of damage, knocking boats off boat lifts, he said.
"I think it's going to have an effect," he said of the more severe weather and insurance crisis. "Insurance is on everyone's mind."
Siesta Key residents impacted after back-to-back hurricanes
Julia Hazelhttps://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2024/10/14/siesta-key-residents-impacted-after-back-to-back-hurricanes
SARASOTA, Fla. — Residents and business owners in Siesta Key say they are feeling hurricane fatigue after getting hit by a second storm in as many weeks.What You Need To Know Fallen stop signs are just one example of the damage that can be seen throughout Siesta Key. There’s been a lot of activity, with trucks picking up trash, residents assessing the damage, and business owners working hard to reopen.Siesta Key resident Nicole Slaten said she’s just ready for things to get back to nor...
SARASOTA, Fla. — Residents and business owners in Siesta Key say they are feeling hurricane fatigue after getting hit by a second storm in as many weeks.
What You Need To Know
Fallen stop signs are just one example of the damage that can be seen throughout Siesta Key. There’s been a lot of activity, with trucks picking up trash, residents assessing the damage, and business owners working hard to reopen.
Siesta Key resident Nicole Slaten said she’s just ready for things to get back to normal.
Her father’s home was flooded by both Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, along with her business, The Wildflower, which is a resort.
“All of a sudden, boom, we got hit hard, but we were hopeful, though,” Slaten said.
She was holding onto that hope during Hurricane Milton, but the storm turned out to be another hit to her family’s home. Both hurricanes left damage from strong winds to storm surges
“Some of the art and kids’ books we were able to get out," she said. "And then everything else — I mean, it came so fast."
Slaten and her father live right next to the water in Siesta Key. Parts of what used to be a dock that was separated by the storm were still there, waiting to be removed.
“It’s terrible," she said. "We got everything picked up, and now here we are again."
Driving around near Siesta Key Beach with her cousin, she said the area doesn’t feel the same.
“Everything looks dead," she said. "Like it’s been frozen in time. It’s really surreal and eerie."
Arriving at her resort, The Wildflower — where Slaten was still assessing damage from Milton — renovations that were made after Hurricane Helene flooded the suites can be seen.
“As you can see, not even a year ago, it looked incredible," she said. "We were so excited."
She opened her business in December, and now she’s working hard to reopen it.
“We’ve just kind of been in this go mode, where we’re just grasping for, you know, it’s like a life jacket to hold us up, because it’s exhausting," Slaten said. "It’s mentally and physically exhausting."
It’s that fatigue many residents say they are feeling, but they’re leaning on each other as a community to make it through.
There are several points of distribution for emergency supplies throughout Sarasota, but the closest one to Siesta Key Village is at Glebe Park. At the site, workers are handing out free food, water and cleaning supplies daily from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Sarasota County recovery updates
ABC7 Staffhttps://www.mysuncoast.com/2024/10/14/sarasota-county-recovery-updates/
Updated: Oct. 15, 2024 at 10:52 AM PDTSARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Important updates from Sarasota CountyUPDATE:Water Restoration: Siesta Key and Casey Key areas now have water restored, except Fisherman’s Haven and Sanderling Road. The boil water notice for Casey Key and Siesta Key has been lifted. Some properties that are served by a master meter have been isolated because of leaks on private property. Please contact your Homeowner’s Association or Property Manager company for service-related quest...
Updated: Oct. 15, 2024 at 10:52 AM PDT
SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Important updates from Sarasota County
UPDATE:
Water Restoration: Siesta Key and Casey Key areas now have water restored, except Fisherman’s Haven and Sanderling Road. The boil water notice for Casey Key and Siesta Key has been lifted. Some properties that are served by a master meter have been isolated because of leaks on private property. Please contact your Homeowner’s Association or Property Manager company for service-related questions.
POD Sites: UPDATED HOURS: PODs are operating daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the following locations as supplies last:-Venice Community Center, 326 Nokomis Ave., Venice-Englewood Sports Complex, 1300 S. River Road, Englewood-Glebe Park, 1000 Glebe Lane, Sarasota-Youth Athletic Complex, 2900 17th St., Sarasota-Bayside Community Church, Bee Ridge Campus, 8200 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota
The Point of Distribution site at San Pedro Catholic Church will conclude operations at 7 p.m. Oct. 15.
Disaster Recovery Center: The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) has opened at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The DRC site at the Sarasota Christian Church is no longer open.
This site has FEMA representatives available in person to assist with applications and answer questions. Applications can also be made online at disasterassistance.gov.
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PODs (Points of Distribution):
PODs are operating daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the following locations:
-Venice Community Center, 326 Nokomis Ave., Venice
-San Pedro Catholic Church, 14380 Tamiami Trail, North Port
-Englewood Sports Complex, 1300 S. River Road, Englewood
-Glebe Park, 1000 Glebe Lane, Sarasota
NEW State-operated POD at Bayside Church, 8200 Bee Ridge Road.
Solid Waste:
Public Drop-Off Sites for Vegetative Storm Debris:
Sarasota County is establishing public drop-off sites for vegetative storm debris that will be available for free to all county residents including both unincorporated and municipal residents. We expect to provide the locations, dates and times of operation by mid-week.
Storm Debris Collection:
On Monday, Oct. 14, debris vendors will resume collection of both construction and vegetative debris in unincorporated Sarasota County. The vendors will begin collection on the barrier islands and other areas in the Level A evacuation level. In the coming weeks, all unincorporated areas of Sarasota County will have collection by these vendors.
Regular Collection:
Garbage, recycling and yard waste collections for residents in unincorporated Sarasota County have resumed regular collection schedules for roadways that are accessible to collection vehicles. Properly prepared yard waste (no plastic bags) will be collected as part of normal collection. Remember to place recycling carts separately from other materials so that collection vehicles can access them. This collection will continue Monday. If your pick-up day is Monday, then you’re scheduled to receive service Monday.
Residents may experience delays in collection services due to an increase in the amount of garbage and yard waste placed curbside over the upcoming weeks. Please leave materials curbside if they are not collected on your regularly scheduled day.
Water Restoration: Siesta Key and Casey Key areas now have water restored, except Fisherman’s Haven and Sanderling Road. The boil water notice for Casey Key has been lifted.
Siesta Key remains under a boil water notice. Some properties that are served by a master meter have been isolated because of leaks on private property. Please contact your Homeowner’s Association or Property Manager company for service-related questions.
Please LIMIT WATER USAGE. The county urges Casey Key and Siesta Key residents not to do laundry or run dishwashers at this time. For the rest of the county, inland areas are not under a boil water notice, as they did not lose pressure during the storm.
Breeze Transit: Breeze Plus – operational
Breeze OnDemand – operational 7am-7pm in 2 zones: North Port and Venice/Englewood; suspended in Siesta and Lido/Longboat
Breeze Trolleys – suspended, includes 77 Siesta Key Islander and 76 Flyer (Siesta Key is closed to the public and SRQ is closed until Wednesday)
Breeze Bus – Partial operations 7am-7pm, with the following modifications:
Route 1 – Normal routing.
Route 2 – Open with minor adjustments. - will detour northbound at Mecca to 41 because light at Old Bradenton Road is out.
Route 3 – Open – Hourly service from Downtown Transfer Station to Cattlemen Transfer Station only.
Route 6 – Open – Normal routing.
Route 7 – Open – Normal routing.
Route 8 – Open – Normal routing.
Route 9 – Open – Normal routing.
Route 12 – Open – Normal routing.
Route 14 – Open – Normal routing.
Route 17 – Open – we will stay on 41 instead of using Waldemere and Osprey behind SMH. We will go to normal routing when a supervisor clears the street.
Route 19 – Open – Normal routing.
Route 25 – Open – Normal routing.
Route 99 – Open - 30-minute service, turning around at SRQ for passengers to connect to MCAT.
Beach and Barrier Islands: Sarasota County is still evaluating our local beaches for direct damage and impact from Hurricane Milton. Preliminary assessment of the beaches for possible accretion or erosion for public beaches, renourished beaches, and other hot spots began Friday, Oct. 11.
Facility assessments began Friday, Oct. 11, on buildings and other amenities at beach parks. Some public beach parks, including North Jetty Park, Turtle Beach Park, and Caspersen Park, were substantially impacted by Hurricane Helene.
All beach parks, including Siesta Beach, will remain closed until further notice as efforts continue to restore access for residents, business owners, and utilities to the area. While some parks may appear ready for use, others require significant work. Residents are asked to be patient as recovery efforts progress. For a full list of open parks and preserves, please visit sarasotacountyparks.com. Community members are encouraged to stay off the barrier islands unless they are homeowners or business owners. Less traffic on the islands allows crews to work in the area efficiently.
FDEM Fuel Sites: Please see the attached photos of the Florida Division of Emergency Management-operated fuel site operating today, Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Suncoast Technical College, 4445 Career Lane, North Port. Limit 10 gallons per car. Per Florida Highway Patrol, fuel will only be provided for VEHICLES and not portable gas tanks.
Find a list of open fuel sites: FloridaDisaster.org/Updates
Copyright 2024 WWSB. All rights reserved.
After multiple floods, Siesta Key resident says she’s “done” with island life
Zac Andersonhttps://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2024/10/12/siesta-key-flooding-has-couple-contemplating-leaving-island/75628897007/
Lance and Nichol Fountaine moved to Siesta Key from Tennessee in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic made it possible to work remotely.They love the island life and the community on the key, but after their home flooded six times in 14 months they are exhausted, frustrated and contemplating moving.Nichol Fountaine says she has “PTSD” from all the water in her home, with every storm bringing a wave of anxiety.More:...
Lance and Nichol Fountaine moved to Siesta Key from Tennessee in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic made it possible to work remotely.
They love the island life and the community on the key, but after their home flooded six times in 14 months they are exhausted, frustrated and contemplating moving.
Nichol Fountaine says she has “PTSD” from all the water in her home, with every storm bringing a wave of anxiety.
More:White House: President Biden coming to Florida again after Hurricane Milton
The storm surge from Hurricane Helene last month was the most devastating, pushing three feet of water into the Fountaine’s three-bedroom 1960s home on Banan Place.
Hurricane Milton just added to the misery when it made landfall on Siesta Wednesday and delivered two feet of storm surge into the Fountaine’s house.
“I’m done,” Nichol said. “I love it, I’ll visit it but I don’t want to live it anymore.”
The Fountaines are an extreme example of the situation many Siesta Key residents find themselves in right now after a wave of devastating flooding on the island.
Their property was hit by storm surge floods from Helene, Milton and two previous storms, and flooding from heavy rains in two other storms. Some of the flooding they blame on a county drainage project. That situation was resolved earlier this year, Lance said, acknowledging the recent flooding would've happened regardless of the drainage issue.
Each time they tried to restore the house to “perfect” condition, only to see the water come in again.
After Helene “it was like a bomb went off,” Nichol said. The flood waters knocked over their refrigerator and flipped an air conditioning unit upside down. Milton added to the wreckage, knocking down trees and a fence.
The Fountaine’s have two active insurance claims and are planning to file a third with Milton. They also have been working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to recoup expenses that insurance won’t cover. The storm clean up is exhausting, but so is the paperwork.
Nichol is ready to leave the island. Lance is frustrated too.
“We’ll have to see where the insurance lands,” he said when asked if they definitely plan to sell.
Their expenses keep mounting.
“We can’t keep throwing money into it and expecting different results,” Nichol said.
“It’s insane,” Lance said.
“It’s the definition of insanity,” Nichol said.
After checking on their island house Thursday, the day after Milton made landfall, the Fountaines were heading to their son’s apartment in Sarasota. Their son had been living in a cottage on their Siesta property, but was forced to move by Helene’s flooding.
Lance believes Sarasota County should focus on improving infrastructure on Siesta for existing residents instead of new development, pointing to the battle over new hotel projects on the island.
Lance works in "smart manufacturing," redesigning systems for digital adoption. He considers his family upper middle class. He wonders if people like him will be able to afford to live on Siesta in the near future.
With all the flooding, older, cheaper homes that are greater flood risks because they weren’t elevated will be torn down. Expensive new homes will be built, driving up property values.
Insurance costs also are becoming prohibitively expensive. The Fountaines pay $18,000 a year for home insurance.
“We’re getting priced out,” Lance said.
What's the status of Florida beaches after Hurricane Milton?
Victoria Moorwoodhttps://www.news-press.com/story/news/local/2024/10/11/florida-beaches-status-after-hurricane-milton-siesta-venice-anna-maria-fort-myers/75627945007/
Cleanup efforts are underway at some of Florida's most popular beaches after Hurricane Milton tore through the state.Millions are still without power, and the ...
Cleanup efforts are underway at some of Florida's most popular beaches after Hurricane Milton tore through the state.
Millions are still without power, and the storm caused significant damage across the peninsula.
Here's the status of some Florida beaches as of Friday:
Siesta Beach
Sarasota County officials are evaluating the impact from Hurricanes Milton and Helene on local beaches and facilities. Some public beach parks were hit hard by Helene, including North Jetty Park, Turtle Beach Park and Caspersen Park, according to the county's website.
Access to the barrier islands reopened Friday at 8 a.m., with one westbound motor lane and one eastbound lane on the southern span of the Ringling Bridge. Services, like water and power, may not be available on the islands.
All beach parks, including Siesta Beach, will remain closed as recovery efforts continue. Check the Sarasota County government Facebook page for updates.
Venice Beach
The Venice Beach pier is closed after suffering significant storm damage. A drone video posted on Facebook by the city captured the destruction of the beach's public access walkway, near the Venice Fishing Pier access.
"DO NOT VISIT THIS AREA," the city's Facebook post read. "It is hazardous with exposed utility, electricity, nails, screws, and other sharp debris."
See city updates here.
Anna Maria Island
Crews in Anna Maria are working Friday to clear city streets of debris and pump out floodwater in the northwest quadrant of the city. Roadways are obstructed by downed power lines and poles, an alert on the city's website said.
On Facebook, officials said the city pier lost around 50 yards of walkway, although the building was not damaged. The Rod and Reel pier was destroyed.
Check here for city alerts and updates.
Fort Myers Beach
Recovery efforts at Fort Myers Beach will take days and weeks, rather than months and years, officials told The News-Press.
A drone video of the beach, at the top of this page, shows the impact of storms.
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