Get updates on recovery efforts after Hurricane Isaias

State Representative Michelle Salzman, in partnership with Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger, Jennifer Harrison, and community partners, will host a diaper distribution to support local families recovering from Hurricane Isaias.

The diaper distribution will take place on Wednesday, October 21, from 5-7 p.m. at Ferry Pass Community Center, located at 8800 N 9th Ave in Pensacola. Local families in need of diapers are encouraged to attend and receive supplies to help support their households during the recovery process. State and county constituent services representatives will also be on-site to assist residents with their needs and connect them with available resources.

Walton County is coordinating with state and local agencies and community partners to establish a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) to assist residents and business owners as recovery efforts continue following recent storm impacts.

Expected participating partners include the Florida Department of Commerce, American Red Cross, U.S. Small Business Administration, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Hope Florida, veterans’ services representatives, legal aid providers, elder affairs representatives, agricultural agencies, county departments, municipalities, and other organizations serving Walton County residents.

Further scheduling of the Multi-Agency Resource Center will be disseminated once scheduling and locations have been confirmed.

Location:
361 N 10th St, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433

Resource Center Schedule:
October 19–24, 2026 Monday, October 19th, 2026, beginning at 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 20th – October 24th, 2026, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Local governments are asking citizens to report damage from Hurricane Isaias to assess the widespread damage caused by the storm. Reporting the damage helps support the region's request for aid.

Here's where you can send your reports:

Escambia County

Residents and business owners should submit damage information through the Escambia County Citizen Damage Report site.

Santa Rosa County:

Residents are asked to report property damage through the Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser's website. Search for your property by either name or street address at https://srcpa.gov/search and use the "Report Damage" button found under the "Owner Information section on your parcel page.

Okaloosa County:

Report storm damage at:
https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/8ce4fbeca4a34dc58a12d40bdd4866f1

Walton County:

For residential damage:
Use Walton County’s residential damage assessment form to report storm damage to your home.
https://arcg.is/1jCuGP3

For commercial damage:
Use Walton County’s commercial damage assessment form to report storm damage to a business or commercial property.
https://arcg.is/1yrPn44

In the wake of Hurricane Isaias, United Way of West Florida has activated the UWWF Recovery Fund to mobilize community support for households facing damage, loss, and an uncertain road ahead in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

UWWF is working to mobilize community support and collaborate with local organizations to help address storm-related needs and strengthen long-term recovery efforts.

211 Northwest Florida, operated by UWWF, has played a critical role in connecting residents with assistance and resources before, during, and after the hurricane. From Friday, October 9, through Monday, October 12, the team answered 920 calls in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, assisting 2,422 individuals. Those served included 257 people with disabilities, 385 seniors, 100 veterans, 352 children, and 1,328 adults.

Before Hurricane Isaias, 47% of households in Escambia County and 36% in Santa Rosa County were below the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Threshold, meaning they were either living below the federal poverty level or earning too much to qualify for assistance but not enough to afford basic necessities.

Now many of these households are facing damaged homes, unexpected expenses, and the loss of essential belongings on top of existing financial challenges. Meeting these needs will require long-term community support.

Donations to the UWWF Recovery Fund will be distributed to local partners to support households in need of storm-related repairs and other recovery assistance. UWWF does not provide funding directly to individuals.

Community members who are able to give are encouraged to contribute to the UWWF Recovery Fund.
To donate, visit uwwf.org.

Visit Florida, the state's tourism marketing arm, gave $1 million to the Northwest Florida Tourism Council to promote the Panhandle region as it recovers from Hurricane Isaias.

According to DeSantis’ office, the money will be used to “resume” the Northwest Florida Beaches marketing campaign, which highlighted the region's beaches, outdoor recreation, and unique visitor experiences. The campaign emphasized fall and winter drive-market travel.

Isaias swept through the region as a Category 2 storm last Friday, making landfall near the coastal tourist community of Destin in Okaloosa County.

The City of Pensacola has released a dashboard that provides updates on debris collected, loads completed, and collection activity throughout the city.

Follow the progress here.

City of Pensacola

State Representative Michelle Salzman, in partnership with Jennifer Harrison, will host a pet food distribution at PJ’s Coffee in Pensacola, located at 85 W. Airport Blvd., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to support local families recovering from Hurricane Isaias.

“As our community continues recovering from Hurricane Isaias, we want to make sure every member of the family is considered, including our beloved pets," said Rep. Salzman in a statement. "We know how much our animals mean to us, and we want to help ease some of the stress families are facing during this time. I am grateful to the Walmart Foundation for sponsoring this event and providing all of the pet food, as well as to PJ’s Coffee for welcoming us and generously providing the location to serve our community. By working together, we can help ensure that families and their pets have the support they need as we continue moving forward.”

The following feeding locations have been established for Friday, Oct. 16 in Escambia County to provide food to residents following Hurricane Isaias.

Please note that times may vary due to road conditions and unforeseen circumstances. Meals are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

• Salvation Army boxed lunch (around noon) and hot dinner (around 5:30 p.m.):
  
  • Brownsville Church - 3100 W. De Soto St., Pensacola
  • Salvation Army - 1501 N. Q St., Pensacola
  • Olive Baptist Church - Warrington Campus - 103 W. Winthrop Ave., Pensacola
  • Two Salvation Army trucks roaming community (no fixed site)

With the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center returning to a Level 3 on Friday, Oct. 16, this will be the last EOC-coordinated meal distribution. Food and supply distributions may be coordinated by other agencies.

Community Health Northwest Florida will resume patient appointments Friday, Oct. 16, at its 12th Avenue Pediatrics clinic in Pensacola, completing the reopening of its main health care locations following Hurricane Isaias.

The clinic, at 2510 N. 12th Ave., is the last of the nonprofit health care provider's main locations to resume operations after the hurricane disrupted services across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

Other Community Health facilities have reopened in Pensacola, Milton, Pace, Century and Cantonment, including medical, dental and pharmacy locations.

Two school-based clinics, at C.A. Weis Elementary School and Pine Forest High School, remain closed while Escambia County public schools prepare to reopen Monday, Oct. 19.

Community Health provides medical and dental care to patients regardless of their insurance status, including uninsured and underinsured residents.

Patients with questions about appointments or prescription refills can call 850-436-4630.

Debris removal alone is expected to cost nearly $78 million in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties following Hurricane Isaias, according to preliminary estimates released this week. The figures offer an early indication of the storm's financial toll as officials continue assessing damage to homes, businesses and public infrastructure across Northwest Florida.

Escambia County estimates $54.87 million in debris removal expenses, accounting for nearly 86% of its $64 million preliminary assessment of public damage and recovery costs. The county also estimates $5.2 million in damage to public buildings and equipment, $1.5 million to parks and $1 million to roads and bridges. Emergency protective measures, including search and rescue operations, account for another $1.5 million.

In neighboring Santa Rosa County, officials estimate that removing approximately 1.5 million cubic yards of storm debris will cost $23 million. Crews began collecting debris along publicly maintained roads Wednesday, Oct. 14, with multiple collection passes planned.

Santa Rosa County also released preliminary structural damage figures Wednesday. More than 80 structures were classified as destroyed, approximately 300 sustained major damage and more than 600 sustained minor damage. The county says more than 2,000 structures were affected overall.

Neither county's debris removal estimate accounts for the full extent of damage to private property. Santa Rosa County has not released a corresponding dollar estimate for structural losses.

Okaloosa County is also assessing storm damage, but a comparable countywide preliminary estimate has not been verified in the official updates reviewed.

The figures remain preliminary and are expected to change as inspections and recovery operations continue. They do not represent the total economic cost of Hurricane Isaias across Northwest Florida.

Northwest Florida residents who receive food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and lost food because of Hurricane Isaias have until Monday, Oct. 19, to request replacement benefits.

The Florida Department of Children and Families is accepting requests from eligible households in 14 counties, including Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton.

SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, provides monthly benefits to help eligible households purchase groceries.

Current recipients who lost food because of the hurricane may qualify for replacement benefits of up to their previously approved monthly benefit amount.

Residents must submit a request through the state's MyACCESS system.

To apply, recipients should log into the MyACCESS portal and select the Individual Replacement Request option displayed in a green banner on their dashboard.

Households in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties are not required to submit additional documentation verifying their food losses.

The same exemption applies to residents of Bay, Calhoun, Holmes, Jackson and Washington counties.

Residents of Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jefferson and Leon counties must provide documentation showing a power outage lasting at least four hours.

The deadline applies to requests for replacement benefits, not new SNAP applications. Households must already participate in the program to qualify.

The state has not announced a separate Disaster SNAP enrollment program for residents who do not currently receive benefits.

Additional eligibility information is available through the Florida Department of Children and Families' Hurricane Isaias assistance page.

Three companies have contributed a combined $170,000 to help families in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties recover from Hurricane Isaias, United Way of West Florida announced Wednesday, Oct. 14.

The contributions include $100,000 from Navy Federal Credit Union, $50,000 from Hancock Whitney and $20,000 from Florida Blue.

United Way activated its Hurricane Isaias Recovery Fund earlier this week to support residents facing property damage, unexpected expenses and other challenges following the storm.

The nonprofit says contributions will be distributed through local partner organizations to help households with storm-related repairs and other recovery needs. United Way does not provide payments directly to individuals.

The organization also reported substantial demand for assistance through 211 Northwest Florida, its free community information and referral service.

From Friday, Oct. 9, through Monday, Oct. 12, the service answered 920 calls from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, helping 2,422 people, according to United Way.

Those receiving assistance included 385 seniors, 257 people with disabilities, 100 veterans and 352 children.

The organization says many affected households were already struggling financially before the hurricane. Its most recent estimates indicate that 47% of Escambia County households and 36% of Santa Rosa County households had incomes insufficient to cover basic living expenses.

Residents seeking assistance with food, housing, utilities and other needs can dial 211 to connect with available community resources. The service operates 24 hours a day.

United Way says recovery fund contributions will support local organizations addressing both immediate needs and longer-term rebuilding efforts.

Donations can be made through the United Way of West Florida website.

Pensacola State College will resume classes Monday, Oct. 19, following a prolonged closure caused by Hurricane Isaias.

The college says all locations will remain closed through Thursday, Oct. 15, because of extensive storm damage and the use of campus facilities by emergency response agencies.

Employees are scheduled to return to their respective locations Friday, Oct. 16, except those assigned to the Milton campus, who should report to the Pensacola campus.

The closure has affected in-person and online instruction.

The college has also revised its academic calendar. Final examinations for the Fall B session will take place Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 19-20. Classes for the Fall D session, originally scheduled to begin Oct. 13, will now start Monday.

Students and employees should monitor college communications for additional instructions as recovery work continues.

Updates are available through the college's Hurricane Isaias information page.

The Volunteer Florida Foundation has activated the Florida Disaster Fund to support communities recovering from Hurricane Isaias, the organization announced Wednesday, Oct. 14.

The fund is Florida's official private disaster relief fund. It collects charitable contributions to support response and recovery activities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations, government agencies and other groups.

The activation provides a statewide mechanism for individuals and businesses to contribute to hurricane recovery efforts.

Volunteer Florida coordinates volunteer services and donations during emergencies. Its foundation administers the disaster fund as a charitable organization.

Contributions are tax-deductible under applicable federal rules.

Donations can be made through the Florida Disaster Fund website.

Checks may also be made payable to the Volunteer Florida Foundation, with “Florida Disaster Fund” written in the memo line, and mailed to:

Volunteer Florida Foundation
Attention: Florida Disaster Fund
1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 250
Tallahassee, FL 32308

The announcement does not specify how much funding has been raised, which Northwest Florida organizations will receive support or when grants will be distributed.

The fund is intended to support community recovery activities. It is not a newly announced direct financial assistance program through which individual hurricane survivors can apply for payments.

The precautionary boil-water notice for all Navarre Beach Utilities customers has been lifted, Santa Rosa County announced Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 14.

County officials say required bacteriological testing has been completed and the water is safe to drink.

The notice had been imposed following Hurricane Isaias, which disrupted water service throughout Navarre Beach.

Water service was shut off before the hurricane made landfall Friday, Oct. 9, because of the anticipated storm surge. Crews subsequently restored service, but residents were instructed to boil drinking water until testing confirmed it was safe.

With the notice rescinded, Navarre Beach Utilities customers no longer need to boil tap water as a hurricane-related precaution.

Other advisories remain in effect

Santa Rosa County says systemwide boil-water notices remain in place for customers of three other utilities:

• City of Milton Water
• Town of Jay
• Bagdad Garcon Point Water

Customers served by those systems should continue bringing water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before using it for drinking, cooking, making ice or brushing their teeth. Bottled water is an alternative.

The notices will remain in effect until the respective utilities announce that required water-quality testing has been completed and the advisories have been lifted.

Residents should confirm which utility serves their property rather than assume that the Navarre Beach announcement applies throughout Santa Rosa County.

The University of West Florida will begin reopening Friday, Oct. 16, with faculty and staff returning to prepare for classes to resume Monday, Oct. 19, following Hurricane Isaias.

The university announced the schedule Wednesday afternoon, nearly a week after the hurricane caused widespread power outages and brought down trees across its campuses.

Students living in university residence halls may return beginning noon Friday. Housing and Residence Life will provide additional instructions directly to residents.

All UWF classes, including those at the Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach campuses and online courses, are scheduled to resume Monday.

Faculty and staff should coordinate with their supervisors to determine whether they need to report to campus Friday. Employees dealing with personal storm damage or other recovery difficulties are encouraged to discuss their circumstances with their supervisors.

Campus access remains restricted

Anyone traveling to the Pensacola campus must enter through the main entrance on University Parkway. The east entrance remains closed until further notice.

People entering campus Friday must present their UWF identification cards.

Storm cleanup will continue after reopening. Some parking lots and pedestrian walkways will remain closed, requiring alternate routes. The university is asking students and employees to allow additional travel time and follow posted safety instructions.

Campus recreational facilities, including tennis and pickleball courts, the Aquatic Center and the Health, Leisure and Sports Facility, will remain closed until Monday. Nature trails will remain closed until further notice.

Academic accommodations and student assistance

UWF is asking instructors to extend deadlines affected by the closure and provide flexibility to students who continue experiencing power outages, internet disruptions or other hurricane-related difficulties.

Students who cannot resume coursework as scheduled should contact their instructors.

Those needing assistance with food, basic necessities or other emergency needs can contact the Dean of Students Office at 850-474-2384.

Students may also qualify for assistance through the university's Student Emergency Support Fund.

Counseling support is available around the clock through UWF Counseling and Psychological Services at 850-474-2420.

Historic Pensacola museums reopening

The UWF Historic Trust will offer free admission Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 15-18, at the Museum of Commerce, Pensacola Children's Museum, Pensacola Museum of Art, Pensacola Museum of History, Historic Village and Old Christ Church.

The Barkley House and Dorr House remain closed.

The university previously postponed President Manny Diaz Jr.'s inauguration events because of the hurricane.

Additional information is available through UWF's emergency information line at 850-474-3333.

The University of West Florida will reopen to faculty and staff on Friday, Oct. 16, according to an announcement released by the university. All UWF classes are scheduled to resume on Monday, Oct. 19 allowing students time to return and faculty and staff time to prepare for the resumption of instruction.

All individuals traveling to campus must enter through the main entrance off University Parkway — the East entrance is closed until further notice. Individuals coming to campus on Friday must show their UWF ID card for entry into campus.

Residential Students: Residential students may return to their residence halls beginning Friday, Oct. 16 at noon. Residential students should closely monitor their email for instructions from Housing and Residence Life.

Students who need additional support, please contact the Dean of Students Office at 850.474.2384 or deanofstudents@uwf.edu.

Campus Environment: Storm recovery and debris removal will continue for the foreseeable future. Some parking lots will remain closed, and the campus community may need to use alternate parking areas. Some pedestrian walkways will also be closed, requiring you to seek alternate routes. Please allow extra time to travel to and from your destination as these closures may increase walking distance. Please use caution when traveling to and around all UWF locations, remain alert for ongoing cleanup activities, and follow posted signage and any safety instructions. All individuals traveling to campus must enter through the main entrance off University Parkway — the East entrance is closed until further notice.

Recreation Areas: Recreational areas on campus, including the tennis and pickleball courts, Aquatic Center and the HLS are closed until Monday, Oct. 19. The nature trails will remain closed until further notice.

Students who need support navigating the impacts of Hurricane Isaias are encouraged to use the following resources.

• Counseling and Psychological Services:
• Dean of Students Office
• Emergency Student Assistance:

The Aetna Employee Assistance Program is available to all University employees and offers confidential support.

Historic Trust: The UWF Historic Trust will be open Oct. 15 - 18 with free admission for visitors to Museum of Commerce, Pensacola Children’s Museum, Pensacola Museum of Art, Pensacola Museum of History, the Historic Village and Old Christ Church. The Barkley House and Dorr House remain closed at this time. Museum hours can be found on the Historic Pensacola website.

University officials encourage students, faculty and staff to learn more about storm preparedness at uwf.edu/uwfstorm and review the Emergency Procedures Guide at uwf.edu/emergencyguide. Weather information is available by tuning into WUWF at 88.1FM or online at wuwf.org. Updates from the National Weather Service are available at weather.gov/mob and twitter.com/NWSMobile.

In the event of an emergency, please contact the UWF Police Department at 850.474.2415.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has declared public health emergencies in Florida and Alabama following Hurricane Isaias, allowing federal officials to temporarily ease certain health care regulations as hospitals and other providers recover from the storm.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made the determinations Tuesday, Oct. 13. The department announced them Wednesday.

The declarations allow the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to waive or modify certain requirements affecting providers that serve Medicare, Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program patients.

Depending on the circumstances, those changes can help facilities maintain services, use qualified out-of-state medical professionals and obtain reimbursement for care provided under emergency conditions.

The federal waivers are scheduled to take effect Friday, Oct. 16, with retroactive coverage beginning Oct. 6 in Florida and Oct. 7 in Alabama.

Federal health officials have also deployed teams to assess the hurricane's effects on medical facilities and help state and local agencies coordinate recovery efforts.

Residents experiencing emotional distress related to the hurricane can call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990. The free, confidential service operates 24 hours a day and offers assistance in multiple languages.

U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody is calling on the federal government to increase the number of National Guard personnel authorized for Florida, citing the state's growing population and the military's role in responding to Hurricane Isaias.

In a news release Wednesday, Oct. 14, Moody announced that she and 13 Florida members of the U.S. House are seeking an increase in the state's National Guard personnel allocation.

“In the aftermath of Hurricane Isaias, we saw once again just how critical the Florida National Guard is to keeping our communities safe—but while Florida’s population has grown in recent years, the size of our National Guard has not kept pace,” Moody said in the statement.

Approximately 5,000 Florida National Guard soldiers and airmen were activated for the hurricane response, according to Moody's office. Their assignments included clearing roads, delivering humanitarian assistance, assessing damage and conducting search-and-rescue operations.

The senator's office also highlighted an operation in which eight Guard members rescued four people from a pickup truck threatened by floodwaters near Interstate 10.

National Guard personnel allocations are determined at the federal level. Moody's request does not constitute an approved staffing increase or additional hurricane recovery funding. No decision or implementation timeline has been announced.

The Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is organizing a business and community recovery resource fair to connect residents and employers with assistance following Hurricane Isaias.

The event is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 23, at St. Sylvester Catholic Church, 6464 Gulf Breeze Parkway in Gulf Breeze.

Networking begins at 7:30 a.m., followed by the program at 8 a.m.

The chamber is partnering with the Santa Rosa County Economic Development Office to provide information and connections intended to help businesses, employees and other residents navigate hurricane recovery.

The event replaces the chamber's previously scheduled Oct. 16 annual meeting program, which had been planned around local health care issues.

Attendance is open to the public, including people who are not chamber members.

Registration costs $15 for anyone who signs up by Monday, Oct. 19. After that date, the price remains $15 for members and increases to $30 for nonmembers.

Registration information is available at navarrechamber.com.

State Farm says it has received more than 7,000 insurance claims across states affected by Hurricane Isaias, with nearly half coming from Florida as of Wednesday, Oct. 14.

The insurer says Florida, Alabama and Georgia account for the largest numbers of claims. The figures cover State Farm customers only and do not represent the total number of hurricane insurance claims filed across the region.

State Farm has established two in-person customer assistance locations in Northwest Florida:

• Pace: Winn-Dixie, 4208–4234 U.S. Highway 90.
• Pensacola: Lowe's Home Improvement, 1201 Airport Blvd.

Representatives can help customers file new claims, check the status of existing claims and get answers about the recovery process.

The company lists operating hours as Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time. Because both sites are in the Central time zone, customers should confirm local operating hours before visiting.

State Farm customers can also file claims online at statefarm.com/claims, through the company's mobile app, by calling 800-732-5246, or by texting CLAIM to 62789 to receive a filing link.

The company recommends photographing damage before cleanup, keeping receipts for temporary repairs and obtaining written estimates before hiring contractors.

Florida is directing $1 million toward tourism promotion in Northwest Florida following Hurricane Isaias, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday, Oct. 14.

The money will go to the Northwest Florida Tourism Council through VISIT FLORIDA, the state's tourism marketing agency, to restart a regional advertising campaign promoting the Panhandle's beaches, outdoor recreation and other attractions.

The funding comes from an existing state tourism crisis recovery budget. It is intended to encourage visitors to return and support businesses that depend on tourism, rather than pay for repairs to hurricane-damaged property.

The campaign will emphasize fall and winter travelers from markets within driving distance, with additional attention to counties most affected by the storm.

The governor's office says an earlier campaign involving eight Gulf Coast counties helped attract more than 2 million additional visitors during 2024 and 2025, generating an estimated $327 million in visitor spending. Those figures are state-reported estimates.

VISIT FLORIDA will work with local tourism officials to launch the new campaign. A start date has not been announced.

Six deaths in Florida have been attributed to Hurricane Isaias, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday, Oct. 13, as recovery efforts continued across Northwest Florida.

The updated statewide total includes two deaths previously reported in Escambia County.

The hurricane made landfall near Destin late Friday, Oct. 9, as a Category 2 storm, bringing destructive winds, widespread power outages and extensive damage to homes, businesses and public infrastructure.

The deaths underscore the continuing dangers associated with the storm and its aftermath, even as electricity is restored and roads reopen.

Emergency officials continue urging residents to avoid downed power lines, use generators only outdoors and exercise caution when clearing fallen trees and other storm debris.

State and local authorities are continuing to assess the hurricane's impacts.

The City of Milton says water service has been restored to most customers following disruptions caused by Hurricane Isaias, but its precautionary boil-water notice remains in effect.

City officials said Tuesday, Oct. 13, that crews were continuing to address isolated utility problems and asking residents to report remaining outages.

Restoring water pressure does not automatically mean tap water is safe to drink. The city must complete required water-quality testing before lifting its advisory.

Until the notice is rescinded, affected customers should bring tap water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before using it for drinking, cooking, brushing their teeth, making ice or preparing food. Bottled water is an alternative.

The city has also reported disruptions to natural gas service and is working to resolve remaining utility problems.

Residents experiencing water or natural gas service problems can contact the City of Milton at 850-983-5400.

The advisory applies to affected Milton utility customers. Pace Water System lifted its boil-water notice Tuesday, while the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority lifted its notice for most mainland Escambia County customers, with exceptions including Pensacola Beach and certain individual addresses.

Residents should follow the latest guidance from their own water provider rather than assume a neighboring utility's announcement applies to them.

Florida officials say electricity has been restored to 95% of customers affected by Hurricane Isaias, marking substantial progress after the storm knocked out power to nearly 450,000 customer accounts across Northwest Florida.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the figure Tuesday, Oct. 13, during a visit to Jay in Santa Rosa County. The state had reported restoration to more than 70% of affected accounts the previous day.

Despite the progress, restoration remains uneven. Some of the most extensive damage to electrical infrastructure occurred in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, where fallen trees, broken poles and damaged lines have complicated repairs.

Florida Power & Light says crews are continuing to work in the hardest-hit areas. Some homes and businesses may also need repairs to their own electrical equipment before they can safely receive service.

The governor also announced that 11 state-supported emergency supply distribution sites are operating across Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton and Washington counties, up from nine Monday.

The sites, known as Points of Distribution, provide free water, shelf-stable meals, ice, tarps and other essential supplies to residents affected by the hurricane.

In Santa Rosa County, officials have announced daily distribution from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at several locations, including Hickory Hammock Baptist Church in East Milton, Bray-Hendricks Park in Jay, Milton First Assembly of God, the Munson Air Strip and Navarre High School. Additional assistance is available in the Gulf Breeze area.

Residents should check with their county emergency management offices before traveling. Locations, hours and available supplies may change.

The Florida Department of Transportation previously reported that all state-owned bridges in the affected region had been inspected and reopened to traffic. Crews have also completed initial emergency clearing of state-maintained roads, although debris, flooding and damaged utilities may continue to affect local travel.

State emergency personnel remain deployed to assist with debris removal, damage assessments, supply distribution and recovery operations.

Updated assistance information is available at FloridaDisaster.org/updates.

Residents should stay away from downed electrical lines and report outages or damaged equipment directly to their utility provider.

The U.S. Postal Service has resumed most mail delivery and retail operations across Northwest Florida following disruptions caused by Hurricane Isaias.

USPS announced Tuesday, Oct. 13, that service had been restored across much of the region after storm damage temporarily suspended operations in dozens of ZIP codes.

The following facilities remained affected in the latest announcement:

• Gonzalez: 1450 Old Chemstrand Road.
• Milton: 5111 Dogwood Drive.
• Milton Pace Carrier Annex: 4382 U.S. Highway 90.
• Pensacola Nobles: 7150 Tippin Ave.
• Shalimar: 1000 Eglin Parkway.
• Valparaiso: 306 Edge Ave.

Customers served by these locations may continue experiencing interruptions or changes to normal service.

The Postal Service says it is restoring operations as conditions allow. Individual delivery routes may still be affected by blocked roads, damaged infrastructure or unsafe access.

Residents can check the latest facility and delivery information through the USPS Service Alerts website at about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/.

Florida residents facing legal problems following Hurricane Isaias can apply for free civil legal assistance through the Florida Disaster Legal Aid Helpline.

The statewide service, operated by Bay Area Legal Services, accepts calls 24 hours a day at 833-514-2940.

Florida residents and people with legal matters pending in the state may apply. Assistance is free for those who qualify, although services depend on eligibility and available resources.

The program does not handle criminal cases, traffic violations or certain other legal matters, including personal injury cases.

Residents with nonemergency legal problems can also apply online through Bay Area Legal Services. Language interpreters are available at no charge.

The governor's office has promoted disaster legal assistance as part of Florida's recovery response following Hurricane Isaias.

Florida Medicaid recipients in counties affected by Hurricane Isaias can obtain early prescription refills while recovery efforts continue, according to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.

The agency says Medicaid managed care plans remain operational and are helping patients maintain access to medical care following disruptions to electricity, transportation and communications.

The plans are also contacting patients with complex medical needs and coordinating transportation to appointments.

Medicaid recipients who need help obtaining prescriptions, arranging transportation or accessing other covered services should contact their managed care plan.

They can also call the Florida Medicaid Helpline at 1-877-254-1055, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The early refill assistance applies to Medicaid recipients in affected counties. Patients with other types of insurance should contact their insurers or pharmacies about available emergency arrangements.

Escambia County estimates that Hurricane Isaias caused approximately $64 million in damage to public facilities and infrastructure and costs associated with emergency response and recovery.

The county released its initial damage assessment Tuesday, Oct. 13. The estimate covers county buildings, equipment, parks, roads, bridges and emergency recovery operations. It does not include damage to private homes and businesses, which officials are assessing separately.

Debris removal represents the largest expense, estimated at $54.87 million. That includes clearing fallen trees, sand, gravel, building debris and damaged vehicles from public property and rights-of-way.

The county also estimates $5.2 million in damage to public buildings and equipment, $1.5 million in damage to parks, and $1 million in damage to roads and bridges. Emergency protective measures, including search and rescue, emergency medical services and security operations, account for another $1.5 million.

The figures are preliminary and could change as assessments continue.

Residents whose property was damaged are encouraged to submit a Citizen Damage Report, including photographs, through Escambia County's official website.

Pace Water System has lifted its precautionary boil-water notice for all customers following Hurricane Isaias.

The utility announced Tuesday, Oct. 13, that testing confirmed its drinking water meets safety requirements.

Customers no longer need to boil tap water before drinking it, cooking, brushing their teeth or making ice because of the hurricane-related advisory.

The notice had been issued Friday, Oct. 9, because the hurricane threatened water mains and disrupted water service. Although service was subsequently restored, the advisory remained in effect while the utility completed water-quality testing.

Pace Water System says customers with questions can call 850-994-5129 or sign up for alerts at pacewater.org.

The announcement applies specifically to Pace Water System customers. Residents served by other utilities should continue following advisories issued by their own water providers.

Public schools in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties will remain closed through Friday, Oct. 16, as districts continue recovering from Hurricane Isaias. Both districts expect classes to resume Monday, Oct. 19.

Okaloosa County schools and district offices will remain closed Wednesday, Oct. 14, with normal operations expected to resume Thursday, Oct. 15.

The closures follow widespread storm damage, including fallen trees, flooding, roof leaks, damaged facilities and disruptions to electricity and transportation routes.

Escambia County Public Schools announced Tuesday that its schools and offices would remain closed for the rest of the week while crews assess facilities and prepare campuses for students and employees.

In Santa Rosa County, the school board voted unanimously Tuesday to extend the closure through Friday, reversing an earlier plan to reopen Wednesday. District officials said the additional time would allow employees to prepare campuses and families to continue recovering.

Santa Rosa officials also cautioned that individual schools could remain closed beyond Monday if electricity or other essential services have not been restored. Families at affected schools would be notified.

Okaloosa County had also previously planned to reopen Wednesday but extended its closure by another day.

The districts will determine when their buildings and school bus routes are safe. Families should continue monitoring official district announcements for any further changes.

Two disaster recovery assistance centers will open Wednesday, Oct. 14, in Okaloosa County to help residents, businesses and nonprofit organizations affected by Hurricane Isaias.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management is establishing the centers in cooperation with Okaloosa County Emergency Management.

Known as Multi-Agency Resource Centers, the facilities bring government agencies and nonprofit organizations together in one location to help hurricane survivors access recovery services.

The centers will operate at:

• Fort Walton Beach: Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center, 1250 Miracle Strip Parkway SE.
• Crestview: Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Drive.

Both locations will open Wednesday at 1 p.m. and remain open until 7 p.m.

Beginning Thursday, Oct. 15, the centers are scheduled to operate daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Saturday, Oct. 24.

Services will include connections to financial assistance and volunteer resources. County officials say additional help, potentially including tarps and assistance removing storm-damaged materials from buildings, may be available.

The county has not confirmed which specific agencies will staff each center or whether every service will be available immediately.

The centers are intended to serve individuals, families, businesses and nonprofit organizations seeking assistance with hurricane recovery.

Additional recovery information is available through the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority has lifted its precautionary boil-water notice for most mainland Escambia County customers, including all of Perdido Key, following Hurricane Isaias.

The utility announced the change Tuesday, Oct. 13, after several days of disruptions to water service caused by the storm.

The notice remains in effect for Pensacola Beach and a limited number of mainland addresses. ECUA expects the Pensacola Beach advisory could be lifted Wednesday, Oct. 14, provided water-quality testing confirms the water is safe to drink.

On the mainland, exceptions include specific addresses along St. Regis Drive, Conifer Road, Springhill Drive, Valley Drive, Edendale Lane, West Ten Mile Road, Webster Drive, Edison Drive, South Madison Drive, McCutchen Place, Piedmont Road, Sandpiper Street, Wyatt Street, Oakstream Avenue, Oakstream Circle, Gunter Road, Cliffbrook Avenue, Pineview Circle and Croydon Road.

Not every address on those streets remains under the advisory. ECUA has published a detailed list identifying the affected properties and says customers at those addresses will receive notices on their doors.

Residents should check the complete address list on ECUA's website before assuming their notice has been lifted.

Customers who remain under a boil-water notice should bring tap water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before using it for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing their teeth or preparing food. Bottled water is an alternative.

ECUA says it will announce further changes as additional areas receive clearance.

The utility's customer service number is 850-476-0480.

A pedestrian was seriously injured Tuesday morning when a pickup truck struck him on State Road 4 in Okaloosa County, near a staging area for Hurricane Isaias relief operations.

According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, the crash occurred at approximately 6:15 a.m. as a 39-year-old man from Baker was driving south on State Road 4.

Investigators say the pedestrian, a man from Jupiter, Florida, was standing in the roadway near the entrance to the relief staging area.

The driver was unable to see the pedestrian because of poor lighting at the entrance, according to the Highway Patrol's preliminary account.

The front left side of the pickup struck the pedestrian, who sustained serious injuries. The driver was not injured.

The Highway Patrol did not identify the pedestrian's age or provide additional information about his condition. The report also does not specify the staging area's location along State Road 4.

Santa Rosa County is prioritizing electrical repair permits to help residents and businesses restore power following Hurricane Isaias.

The county's Building Inspections Department announced Monday that licensed electrical contractors registered with the county can apply online for emergency electrical repair permits through its MyGovernmentOnline system.

The permits, known as "Work With" permits, allow the county to expedite repairs and inspections necessary before damaged electrical equipment can be safely reconnected.

A neighborhood's power may be restored before individual buildings can receive electricity if their electrical service equipment has been damaged.

County officials are also reminding residents to use properly licensed contractors and verify permit requirements before beginning permanent repairs.

Florida law requires expedited permitting for certain storm-related repairs during declared emergencies. However, the emergency declaration does not automatically eliminate permit requirements or authorize unlicensed contracting.

Temporary measures to prevent further damage, such as covering a damaged roof with a tarp, may be taken immediately.

Residents with questions about repair permits can contact Santa Rosa County Building Inspections at srcpermits@santarosa.fl.gov.

Residents displaced by Hurricane Isaias may be eligible for free transportation to and from state-approved emergency shelters.

FloridaCommerce announced Monday that Uber is offering rides valued at up to $40 each way for residents traveling between their locations and participating shelters.

Residents must enter the promotional code ISAIAS26 in the Uber app before requesting transportation.

The offer applies to trips to and from state-approved evacuation shelters. A list of participating shelters is available through the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

The state has not announced when the transportation offer will expire.

Residents should confirm that their intended shelter remains open and can accommodate them before arranging transportation.

Residents affected by Hurricane Isaias can access free showers, laundry facilities, food and other emergency services at a new state-operated assistance center in Century.

The Florida Department of Children and Families announced Monday that the center would open at 150 E. Pond St., beginning at 11 a.m.

The facility is intended to help residents whose homes remain without electricity, water or other essential services following the hurricane.

Available services include restrooms, showers, laundry facilities, food, drinking water, feminine hygiene products, cooling tents and a station for charging electronic devices.

The department has not announced how long the center will remain open or its daily operating hours.

The state is also coordinating shelter assistance and other recovery services for families displaced by the hurricane.

Residents should confirm that services remain available before traveling to the location.

More than 70% of electric customer accounts that lost power during Hurricane Isaias have had service restored, according to an update released Monday by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The governor provided the update during a visit to a Walmart in Pensacola, where he was joined by FloridaCommerce Secretary Alex Kelly. The restoration figure was current as of noon Central time.

DeSantis also announced that nine emergency supply distribution sites are operating across Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton and Washington counties. Known as Points of Distribution, the sites provide free bottled water, shelf-stable food and other essential supplies to residents affected by the hurricane.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management identifies the following locations:

Escambia County

• Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto St., Pensacola.

Santa Rosa County

• Krul Recreation Area, 11035 Krul Lake Road, Milton.
• Martin Luther King Middle School, 5928 Stewart St., Milton.
• Hickory Hammock Baptist Church, 8351 Hickory Hammock Road, Milton.
• Jay Community Center, 5259 Booker Lane, Jay.

Walton County

• Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast, 80 Boys and Girls Way, Santa Rosa Beach.
• DeFuniak Springs Community Center, 361 N. 10th St., DeFuniak Springs.
• Freeport Regional Sports Complex, 563 Hammock Trail E., Freeport.

Washington County

• Vernon Fire Department, 3560 Roche Ave., Vernon.

Santa Rosa County says its distribution sites are scheduled to operate Monday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., although some may open later depending on supply deliveries. Available items include water, ice, tarps and ready-to-eat meals.

Hours for the sites in the other three counties have not been independently confirmed. Residents should check with local emergency management officials before traveling, as supplies and operating schedules may change.

The state also reports that 93% of traffic signals in the storm-affected region are operational, including 320 restored using temporary generator power.

The Florida Department of Transportation says all state-owned bridges have been inspected and reopened to traffic. Crews have completed initial emergency clearing of state-maintained roads, although localized flooding, debris and utility damage continue to affect travel.

Florida State Guard amphibious rescue teams are also assisting in the Shoal River area, where flooding remains a concern.

Updated distribution site information is available at FloridaDisaster.org/updates.

Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative expects to restore electricity to most of its customers by Tuesday night, Oct. 13, following widespread outages caused by Hurricane Isaias.

The cooperative, known as CHELCO, serves approximately 76,000 electric meters across portions of Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes and Santa Rosa counties.

At the height of the hurricane, approximately 71,000 of those meters lost power, according to information released Monday by Walton County.

CHELCO expects more than 1,400 lineworkers, vegetation-clearing crews and support personnel to be working across its service territory Monday.

CEO Steve Rhodes described the hurricane as the cooperative's largest storm response in its 86-year history.

The cooperative's Tuesday evening target applies to the majority of customers, not necessarily everyone. Repairs could take longer in areas where fallen trees, broken poles or damaged electrical equipment complicate restoration.

CHELCO says crews will continue working until all customers can safely receive electricity.

Residents should stay away from fallen power lines and contact their utility provider to report damaged electrical equipment.

Okaloosa County will open Points of Distribution (POD) at the following locations in north Okaloosa County from 1-3:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. A limited supply of tarps, bottled water and MREs will be available for north Okaloosa County residents who still do not have power.

Baker Park - 1450 Charlie Day Road, Baker

Garden City Park - 6330 Garden City Road, Crestview

Operation BBQ Relief is on the ground in the Pensacola and surrounding communities, providing free BBQ meals to communities impacted by the recent severe weather. After serving more than 2,000 meals yesterday, the nonprofit anticipates serving 10,000 meals today alone as its teams continue supporting affected residents and first responders over the next several days.

Free meal service is taking place today (Monday, October 12) at the following locations:

• Pensacola: 

  • Walmart: 501 North Navy Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32507
    
  • Lunch: Noon until food runs out
    
  • Dinner: 4 p.m. until food runs out
    

• Defuniak Springs: 

  • Walmart: 1226 US-331, Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
    
  • Lunch: Noon until food runs out
    
  • Dinner: 4 p.m. until food runs out
    

• Santa Rosa Beach: 

  • Walmart: 6861 US-98, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
    
  • Lunch: Noon until food runs out
    
  • No dinner service today
    

Pensacola city offices will remain closed Monday, Oct. 12, as crews assess damage and restore services following Hurricane Isaias. The city is aiming to reopen offices Tuesday.

All city community centers and recreation programming are also closed Monday because of disruptions to electrical, drinking water and network services.

Gull Point Resource Center and Park sustained major damage during the hurricane. Officials have not determined where affected programs will be relocated.

Osceola Golf Course also suffered major damage and will remain closed for several days. The city is asking residents to stay out of parks until inspections and cleanup are complete.

Meanwhile, the Port of Pensacola has received clearance from the U.S. Coast Guard and is returning to normal operations, according to Escambia County's latest recovery update.

Pensacola's 311 telephone lines remain unavailable. Residents can report nonemergency problems, including downed trees and roadway debris, through the city's online 311 service.

For road closures, visit MyEscambia.com/roads.

Gov. Ron DeSantis will hold a news conference in Pensacola at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, as recovery efforts continue following Hurricane Isaias.

The governor will be joined by Florida Commerce Secretary Alex Kelly at the Walmart Supercenter at 8970 Pensacola Blvd.

The location is also serving as a disaster relief site, where Matthew 25: Ministries and its partners have scheduled free laundry and shower services for residents affected by the hurricane.

The governor's office has not announced a specific topic for the news conference.

DeSantis visited Milton and Santa Rosa Beach on Sunday, announcing emergency business loans and additional state assistance for road clearing, utility restoration and other recovery operations.

WUWF will provide updates from Monday's briefing as information becomes available.

Santa Rosa County has rescinded its mandatory evacuation orders for Zones A, B and C following Hurricane Isaias, but officials are urging residents not to return to Navarre Beach until critical utilities are restored.

The county announced the decision Monday morning, Oct. 12, after assessing conditions following the hurricane.

Officials say Navarre Beach remains unsafe for residents to return because essential infrastructure, including electrical service, has not been fully restored.

Water service has returned to portions of Navarre Beach, with additional restoration expected Monday. A precautionary boil-water notice remains in effect wherever service has resumed, pending satisfactory water-quality testing.

Elsewhere in Santa Rosa County, residents returning to storm-damaged properties should watch for downed power lines, debris, flooding and damaged utility infrastructure. Some roads remain impassable.

Drivers should treat intersections with nonfunctioning traffic signals as four-way stops and avoid flooded roadways.

The county's citizen information line is available at 850-983-4636.

Escambia County has rescinded its mandatory evacuation orders for Zones A and B following Hurricane Isaias, effective 6 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 11.

The evacuation orders had been issued ahead of the hurricane because of threats from storm surge, flooding and dangerous winds.

Although the orders have been lifted, county officials warn that some roads remain blocked by downed trees, power lines and debris. Residents returning to storm-damaged properties should exercise caution.

Crews are prioritizing routes needed to reach hospitals and other critical facilities before clearing smaller neighborhood streets.

Residents can check MyEscambia.com/roads for road closures and report property damage through the county's recovery resources.

Officials urge residents to avoid unnecessary travel while cleanup and utility restoration continue.

Grayton Beach State Park in Walton County is reopening following emergency repairs to a bridge damaged by Hurricane Isaias.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Sunday that the Florida Department of Transportation, working with the Department of Environmental Protection and local partners, completed the bridge repairs in approximately 16 hours.

The repairs restored access to the park, allowing officials to reopen it Sunday.

The announcement comes as other state and federal recreation areas across Northwest Florida remain closed because of storm damage and hazardous conditions.

Visitors should check Florida State Parks for current access and facility information before traveling.

A nonprofit relief flight delivered 1,132 pounds of emergency supplies to Destin on Sunday, less than two days after Hurricane Isaias made landfall nearby.

The aircraft landed at Destin Executive Airport at 11:20 a.m., according to Props For A Purpose, the Tennessee-based aviation nonprofit that organized the mission.

The shipment included chainsaws, hand tools, protective equipment, first-aid supplies, drinking water and a portable generator.

Four nonprofits coordinated the delivery. YAIPAK assembled the supplies in Clarksville, Tennessee; Beacon Rescue identified the need in the Destin area; Props For A Purpose transported the shipment; and Fill the Needs received the supplies for local distribution.

Atlantic Aviation assisted with the delivery at the airport.

The mission was the first hurricane relief flight conducted using Props For A Purpose's own aircraft, a twin-engine Tecnam P2012 Traveller. The plane departed Tennessee Sunday morning and returned that afternoon.

The organization says the supplies are being distributed to residents and recovery teams in the Destin area.

Storm debris and damaged utility lines are affecting garbage collection schedules across Northwest Florida as crews work to restore services following Hurricane Isaias.

Ecowaste Solutions says it will suspend residential garbage collection in Milton on Monday, Oct. 12, because fallen trees, low-hanging branches and damaged power lines have left some streets unsafe for collection vehicles.

The company's residential service in Crestview is expected to operate on its regular schedule.

Ecowaste says commercial collection will continue as scheduled in Pensacola, Milton and Crestview. Dumpster service will also continue in Pensacola and Milton, although some delays are expected.

Separately, the City of Pensacola plans to work extended hours Monday to collect household garbage missed Friday and complete Monday's regularly scheduled routes.

Pensacola residents should keep ordinary household garbage separate from hurricane debris, which will be handled by a different contractor.

Customers of Ecowaste Solutions can direct service questions to FLinfo@EcowasteSol.com.

Water service has been restored throughout Navarre Beach following Hurricane Isaias, Santa Rosa County officials announced Monday evening.

However, a precautionary boil-water notice remains in effect. The notice will not be lifted until testing confirms the water is safe to drink.

Residents should bring tap water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before using it for drinking, cooking, brushing their teeth or making ice. Bottled water is another option.

Systemwide boil-water notices also remain in effect for customers of City of Milton Water, Pace Water System, Town of Jay, Bagdad Garcon Point Water and Midway Water.

Customers should continue following precautions until their water utility officially announces that its notice has been lifted.

Residents affected by Hurricane Isaias can access free laundry, showers, meals and other emergency services at several Walmart locations across Northwest Florida.

Walmart and its nonprofit partners announced additional services Monday for households coping with extended power and water outages.

Pensacola — 8970 Pensacola Blvd.

Free laundry and shower services are available through Matthew 25: Ministries, Tide Loads of Hope and other partners.

Walmart's mobile kitchen, working with Tyson Foods, is also providing free hot meals beginning at approximately 11 a.m. and again at 5 p.m., while supplies last.

Free bottled water is available for residents affected by the hurricane.

Pace — 4965 U.S. Highway 90

Free laundry and shower services are available at the Walmart Supercenter.

The Information Technology Disaster Resource Center is also providing free Wi-Fi and device charging, allowing residents without home internet or electricity to communicate with family members and access recovery information.

Gulf Breeze — 3767 Gulf Breeze Parkway

Verizon is deploying a mobile charging trailer at the Walmart Supercenter to help residents recharge phones and other electronic devices. Walmart has not confirmed when the trailer will begin operating.

Laundry and shower services in Pensacola and Pace are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, subject to capacity.

Laundry service is limited to two loads per household. Heavy bedding is excluded.

Walmart cautions that some locations offering emergency assistance remain closed for regular shopping. Relief services do not necessarily indicate that a store has reopened.

Schedules and available supplies may change as recovery operations continue.

Escambia County residents affected by Hurricane Isaias can obtain free bottled water beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 12, at the Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. De Soto St. in Pensacola.

Water will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

The county also announced that several emergency feeding sites will operate Monday to assist residents who have lost electricity, food or access to cooking facilities.

The latest feeding locations and schedules are available through Escambia County's recovery updates.

Residents seeking additional disaster assistance can call the county's 24-hour citizen information line at 850-471-6600. Volunteer cleanup assistance is also available by request through Crisis Cleanup at 1-800-451-1954, subject to volunteer availability.

Santa Rosa County has expanded its emergency supply distribution network to six locations as residents recover from Hurricane Isaias. Community organizations are also providing free meals, hygiene supplies, oxygen refills and access to showers and laundry facilities.

Four county distribution sites are scheduled to operate daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice, offering bottled water, ice, tarps and ready-to-eat meals:

• East Milton: Hickory Hammock Baptist Church, 8351 Hickory Hammock Road.
• Jay: Bray-Hendricks Park, 5259 Booker Lane, behind the Jay Community Center.
• Milton: King Middle School, 5928 Stewart St.
• Munson: Munson Air Strip, Krul Lake Road.

The American Red Cross is also providing 500 lunches and 500 dinners at each of the Jay and Munson locations.

Two additional county distribution sites are serving southern Santa Rosa County:

• Navarre: Navarre High School, west parking lot, 8600 High School Blvd.
• Gulf Breeze: Tiger Point Community Center, 1370 Tiger Park Lane.

Both southern sites are scheduled to operate Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., although opening times depend on supply deliveries. They will distribute water, ice and tarps but will not provide food, according to the county.

Additional community relief resources include:

• Pace Assembly of God, 3948 U.S. 90, Pace: Convoy of Hope is distributing food, water, tarps, hygiene supplies, diapers, wipes and infant formula from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. An oxygen refill station is available from 8 to 10 a.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Oak Park Church of God is also providing drive-through hot meals at 4 p.m.
• Pace Fire Rescue District, 4773 Pace Patriot Blvd., Pace: The Salvation Army is providing 200 hot lunches at noon and 200 hot dinners at 5 p.m.
• Holley-Navarre Fire District Station 45, 8618 Esplanade St. E., Navarre: The Salvation Army is providing 200 hot lunches at noon and 200 hot dinners at 5 p.m.
• Bagdad First Assembly of God, 4513 Forsyth St., Bagdad: The American Red Cross is providing 500 hot lunches at noon and 500 hot dinners at 5 p.m.
• Bagdad Community Center, 6860 Pooley St., Milton: United Cajun Navy is distributing water, ready-to-eat meals and diapers.
• West Florida Baptist Church, 5621 U.S. 90, Milton: Cajun Navy Relief is providing drive-through hot meals at 5 p.m.

Residents also have access to showers, restrooms and laundry facilities at Optimist Park, 6244 Old Bagdad Highway in Milton, around the clock.

Additional shower trailers, restrooms and laundry facilities are scheduled to become available Tuesday at Bray-Hendricks Park in Jay.

Distribution hours and supplies may change. Santa Rosa County says opening times at some sites depend on deliveries.

Residents can find updated information at santarosa.fl.gov/2026Hurricane.

The Florida Department of Health has issued new health advisories for portions of Santa Rosa Sound and Choctawhatchee Bay following wastewater releases associated with Hurricane Isaias.

The affected areas include Santa Rosa Sound near Sleepy Hollow Road in Mary Esther and portions of Santa Rosa Sound and Choctawhatchee Bay near U.S. Highway 98 in Fort Walton Beach.

The Fort Walton Beach advisory follows wastewater releases from sewer manholes. The Mary Esther advisory was issued after wastewater releases in that community.

Health officials warn that contaminated water may contain untreated sewage and disease-causing microorganisms. Residents and visitors should avoid contact with the affected waterways while the advisories remain in effect.

Anyone who comes into contact with the water should wash thoroughly, particularly before eating or drinking. Children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable to illness.

Drinking water is not affected by either advisory, according to the health department.

Water-quality monitoring and testing are underway. The advisories will remain in effect until satisfactory results allow officials to lift them.

An earlier wastewater advisory also remains in effect for Toms Bayou near Hidden Cove Drive in Valparaiso.

For additional information, contact the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County at 850-833-9247 or visit Okaloosa.FloridaHealth.gov.

The University of West Florida will remain closed through Thursday, Oct. 15, as crews continue clearing debris and restoring campus operations following Hurricane Isaias.

The university announced the extension Tuesday, citing continuing recovery work and safety concerns. Although electricity has been restored to most campus facilities and buildings have undergone initial structural assessments, officials say additional work is needed before normal operations can resume.

The closure applies to UWF locations, classes, university events and campus activities. A date for resuming classes has not been announced.

Only essential personnel are permitted on campus. The University Parkway entrance is being used for authorized access, while the east entrance remains closed. Other employees, students and visitors should not return until the university authorizes them to do so.

Residence halls remain closed. Housing and Residence Life will notify residential students when they can safely return, with time allowed for travel before classes resume.

UWF has also extended assignment, examination and project deadlines affected by the closure. University officials are reviewing the academic calendar and will communicate additional changes to students and faculty.

The university postponed President Manny Diaz Jr.'s inauguration events, which had been scheduled for this week.

Another campus recovery update is expected Wednesday afternoon.

Students, faculty and staff can check uwf.edu for announcements or call the university's emergency information line at 850-474-3333.

Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons says he does not anticipate imposing a countywide curfew following Hurricane Isaias, provided electricity restoration continues and public safety conditions remain manageable.

"We feel strongly about an individual's freedom to come and go as they please and to work on things as they need to work on things," Simmons said during Sunday's county emergency management briefing.

He said restrictions could still be considered for specific areas if problems develop.

The Sheriff's Office is maintaining enhanced patrols, with approximately 200 deputies working each 12-hour shift. Simmons said deputies responded to about 1,000 calls in the preceding 24 hours, most involving relatively minor incidents, including traffic-related problems.

He also reported an arrest involving the theft of copper from Florida Power & Light equipment and warned that deputies would continue enforcing laws against theft and looting during recovery.

Escambia's approach contrasts with neighboring Santa Rosa County, where a dusk-to-dawn curfew remains in effect until further notice.

Health care services across Northwest Florida are gradually returning to normal following Hurricane Isaias, with additional medical, dental and pharmacy locations scheduled to reopen Tuesday, Oct. 13.

Community Health Northwest Florida announced Monday evening that five more locations will reopen Tuesday, joining three that resumed operations Monday.

The additional locations are:

• Highway 90 Pediatrics: 4435 U.S. 90, Pace.
• Century Adult and Family Care and Century Pediatrics: 6021 Industrial Blvd., Century.
• Fairfield Dental: 1295 W. Fairfield Drive, Pensacola, inside the Florida Department of Health building.
• Bayou Boulevard Pharmacy: 4350 Bayou Blvd., Pensacola.
• Waterfront Rescue Mission: 350 Herman St., Pensacola, providing primary medical care.

Three other Community Health locations reopened Monday:

• 2315 W. Jackson St., Pensacola: Pediatric and adult and family medical care, including walk-in services.
• 6671 Caroline St., Milton: Pediatric and adult and family medical care, along with scheduled dental services.
• Trinity Pediatrics, 5375 N. Ninth Ave., Pensacola: Pediatric care.

Community Health cautions that staffing shortages may limit services at some locations. The nonprofit provider expects to expand operations throughout the week as conditions permit.

Patients needing information about appointments or prescription refills can call 850-436-4630.

Meanwhile, the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County announced Monday that all its offices are reopening with regular operating hours.

Immunizations will be provided exclusively at the department's Crestview location, 810 E. James Lee Blvd., until further notice.

The department also will accept walk-in appointments for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, commonly known as WIC, from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through Friday, Oct. 16. WIC provides nutrition assistance and related services to eligible pregnant women, new mothers, infants and young children.

For information about Okaloosa County public health services, call 850-833-9240.

In Santa Rosa County, the health department plans to partially reopen Wednesday, Oct. 14, with limited services at its Milton offices.

Only the WIC and Vital Statistics offices will reopen. WIC services will be available from 7:30 a.m. to noon, while Vital Statistics will operate from 8 a.m. to noon. Vital Statistics provides official records such as birth and death certificates.

The department has not announced operating hours or available services for Thursday and Friday. Residents can call 850-983-5200 for information.

In Escambia County, the Department of Health's Fairfield Drive office remained closed Monday. All department locations in the county are expected to reopen Tuesday, Oct. 13.

Baptist Health Care says its three hospitals — Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, Gulf Breeze Hospital and Jay Hospital — are fully operational. Most other Baptist locations have resumed normal hours, although some services remain affected by utility and network disruptions.

Ascension Sacred Heart's emergency departments remained operational throughout the storm. The health system previously said it expected its physician offices and outpatient services to resume normal operations Monday, but that schedule has not been reconfirmed.

Veterans Affairs outpatient clinics in Pensacola, Eglin Air Force Base, Panama City, Marianna and Tallahassee are scheduled to reopen Tuesday, according to the latest state emergency management update.

Patients should confirm appointments and operating hours directly with their providers before traveling. Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should call 911.

The U.S. Postal Service has temporarily suspended mail delivery and retail operations across much of Northwest Florida because of damage from Hurricane Isaias.

The suspension, announced Sunday, affects dozens of ZIP codes across Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay and surrounding counties.

Affected communities include Pensacola, Cantonment, Century, Molino, Milton, Gulf Breeze, Navarre, Mary Esther, Niceville, DeFuniak Springs, Santa Rosa Beach, Panama City and several smaller communities.

The Postal Service says the suspension is effective immediately and that no alternative service locations are currently available.

Officials have not announced when regular service will resume. Delivery and retail operations will be restored as soon as conditions allow, according to USPS.

Residents can find updates and check affected service areas through the USPS Service Alerts website.

The City of Pensacola expects to begin collecting debris from Hurricane Isaias on Tuesday, Oct. 13, with full-scale operations beginning Wednesday.

Mayor D.C. Reeves announced the schedule during Sunday's Escambia County recovery briefing. Limited debris operations are expected Monday.

The timetable applies to properties within Pensacola city limits. Escambia County's separate debris collection program is also targeting Wednesday for its initial operations.

Residents should continue separating vegetation from damaged building materials and keeping storm debris separate from household garbage.

Eglin Air Force Base will reopen its entry gates to all authorized personnel at 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, as the installation resumes operations following Hurricane Isaias.

Installation commander Col. Chris Keithley announced the reopening Sunday afternoon. Access had been restricted to mission-essential personnel since Friday, when the hurricane struck Northwest Florida.

Base recovery crews have been clearing fallen trees and other debris from roadways and restoring electrical service.

“Our civil engineers and emergency response personnel have worked tirelessly to clear hazardous debris from our roadways and restore essential power across the base,” Keithley said.

Military and civilian personnel are being instructed to inform their supervisors of any safety concerns, property damage or personal circumstances affecting their return.

Personnel with school-aged children should check local school district announcements for reopening schedules and possible closures.

Information about individual base facilities and support services is available at Eglin's official website or through the 96th Test Wing Public Affairs Office at 850-496-0899.

Escambia County emergency officials are warning residents to check electrical appliances before power is restored, citing an increase in structure fires during recovery from Hurricane Isaias.

During Sunday's county briefing, Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore said some fires have occurred as electricity returned to homes where stoves or other heat-producing appliances had been left switched on when the power failed.

Residents who remain without electricity should make sure burners and ovens are off and unplug large appliances where practical.

Gilmore warned that electricity may fluctuate as service is restored, creating additional risks for equipment left connected.

Officials also urged residents not to burn piles of storm debris while neighbors remain without air conditioning and may be keeping their windows open. Smoke from burning freshly fallen vegetation can create additional problems for nearby households.

Residents using portable generators should keep them outdoors, at least 20 feet from doors, windows and other openings, to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Anyone who discovers a fire or suspects an immediate electrical danger should leave the affected area and call 911.

Public schools in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties will remain closed Tuesday, Oct. 13, while Okaloosa County is preparing to reopen Wednesday following Hurricane Isaias.

Escambia County Public Schools confirmed Monday that its campuses and district offices will remain closed Tuesday. Crews are repairing damaged facilities, restoring essential utilities and assessing whether school bus routes can operate safely.

The district has not announced a confirmed reopening date. In a Sunday recovery update, the City of Pensacola said Escambia schools were not expected to reopen before Thursday, Oct. 15.

Santa Rosa County District Schools also will remain closed Tuesday, including district offices and all school-sponsored activities, practices and athletic contests.

Santa Rosa officials hope to reopen as early as Wednesday, Oct. 14, but say they will make a decision by Tuesday evening. If some campuses are ready while others are not, families will be notified individually. The district's regularly scheduled Tuesday school board meeting will proceed.

Okaloosa County schools and district offices are scheduled to resume normal operations Wednesday. District officials have reported flooding, roof leaks, fallen trees, damaged fencing and disruptions to utilities and transportation routes.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said Sunday that state officials are working toward reopening most schools in the region Wednesday. The Florida Department of Transportation and National Guard are helping clear roads, including school bus routes, while state and local officials assess damage to school facilities.

Each district will determine when its campuses and transportation routes are safe. Families should check official district announcements for changes before returning to school.

Residents without internet service following Hurricane Isaias can access free Wi-Fi around the clock at two Pensacola parks, regardless of whether they are Spectrum customers.

Spectrum announced Monday that it has deployed mobile Wi-Fi trailers at the following locations:

• Hitzman-Optimist Park: 3221 Langley Ave., Pensacola
• Bayview Park: 2001 E. Lloyd St., Pensacola

The company says internet access is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, allowing residents affected by power and communications outages to contact family members, check restoration updates and access emergency assistance information.

Spectrum provides instructions for connecting to its emergency Wi-Fi service.

Separately, the City of Pensacola announced Sunday that a temporary recovery site at Pensacola State College would provide free Wi-Fi, device charging and drinking water.

That site was scheduled to open Sunday afternoon in a parking lot at 1000 College Blvd., with support from AT&T and Spectrum.

Residents should approach from the Airport Boulevard side of campus, near the Cordova Lanes entrance. The site is across the street from the bowling alley.

The additional services are intended to help residents remain connected while utility crews repair widespread damage to electrical and communications infrastructure.

Florida has activated an emergency loan program for businesses damaged by Hurricane Isaias, with applications due Nov. 25.

The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program provides short-term, interest-free financing to eligible businesses that suffered physical damage or economic losses from the hurricane.

The loans are intended to help businesses cover immediate expenses while awaiting insurance payments or other long-term recovery assistance.

The program offers loans of up to $100,000 for eligible businesses, including agricultural and aquaculture operations, and up to $150,000 for eligible citrus and cattle operations.

Applications and eligibility information are available at FloridaJobs.org/EBL.

The Florida Small Business Development Center Network is offering free assistance with applications and other recovery challenges. Business owners can contact the Florida SBDC at the University of West Florida at 850-474-2528 or visit FloridaSBDC.org/disaster.

Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson also announced a separate emergency agricultural loan program expected to open Monday, Oct. 12. The program would offer interest-free loans of up to $500,000 for qualifying farm infrastructure repairs and cleanup.

Simpson said cotton and peanut producers suffered significant damage during the hurricane. State officials are assessing losses and coordinating assistance for farmers and livestock owners.

FloridaCommerce is also encouraging business owners to complete the state's Business Damage Assessment Survey, whether or not they intend to apply for a loan.

The survey helps state and federal officials evaluate economic losses and determine what additional recovery resources may be needed. Completing it does not constitute an application for financial assistance.

Florida is expanding recovery operations in Santa Rosa County, where Hurricane Isaias knocked down trees, damaged homes and disrupted electrical service, particularly in Milton and communities farther north.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said Sunday that he directed the Florida Department of Transportation to assist with clearing local and county roads north of Milton toward the Alabama state line.

The work includes cutting fallen trees and moving them out of travel lanes so emergency vehicles, utility crews and residents can regain access.

DeSantis said the state will assist with clearing roads that ordinarily fall under local rather than state maintenance responsibilities.

He also directed transportation officials to help repair damaged traffic signals in Milton.

State crews have restored operation to 271 traffic signals using generators across the affected region, the governor said. Some intersections, however, sustained physical damage that requires more extensive repairs.

Drivers are reminded to treat intersections with nonfunctioning traffic signals as four-way stops and proceed cautiously.

DeSantis said the storm's strongest winds caused significant structural damage in parts of Santa Rosa and northeastern Escambia counties, even though the hurricane made landfall farther east in Okaloosa County.

Florida officials are monitoring rising water levels along the Blackwater and Shoal rivers following Hurricane Isaias, warning that flooding could still affect roads and homes over the next several days.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said Sunday that the state is watching river conditions, particularly near U.S. Highway 90 and Interstate 10 in the affected region.

River flooding can develop after a hurricane has passed as heavy rainfall drains into waterways from surrounding areas.

DeSantis said flooding could force additional road closures and, in more serious circumstances, threaten homes. He emphasized that those outcomes remain possible, not certain.

Search-and-rescue personnel remain available if additional emergencies develop.

Officials are urging residents to avoid flooded roads and never attempt to drive through standing or moving floodwater.

Current state highway conditions are available at FL511.com.

Florida Power & Light expects to restore electricity to 95% of its customers who can safely receive service by the end of Monday, Oct. 12, as crews continue repairing widespread damage from Hurricane Isaias.

At an Escambia County recovery briefing Sunday, FPL Vice President and General Manager for the Northwest Florida region J.T. Young said electricity had been restored to approximately 55,000 customers in Escambia County and between 185,000 and 190,000 across the region since the storm.

The company has more than 5,000 restoration personnel working in Escambia County and about 17,000 across the Panhandle, Young said.

At a separate briefing in Milton, Gov. Ron DeSantis said approximately 300,000 Florida electricity accounts remained without service as of noon Sunday, including about 240,000 FPL accounts. Those figures represent outages at that time, not the number expected to remain Monday.

The restoration target does not include homes that cannot safely receive electricity because of damaged equipment. Residents whose meters or electrical service connections were damaged may need repairs by a licensed electrician before power can be restored.

Recovery could take longer for customers served by electric cooperatives. DeSantis said a cooperative serving parts of Walton County expects to complete restoration by Tuesday.

Residents can find restoration information and customer assistance locations at FPL.com/storm.

Okaloosa County has lifted its mandatory evacuation orders for Zones A and B, along with restrictions on nonresidents, effective noon Sunday, Oct. 11.

County Commission Chairman Trey Goodwin announced the decision during a Sunday morning briefing on recovery efforts following Hurricane Isaias.

Goodwin said most roads have reopened and power has been restored to most homes and businesses, although significant storm damage remains.

County Public Safety Director Patrick Maddox cautioned that lifting the evacuation orders does not mean every property is safe. Residents returning home should avoid downed power lines and never attempt to remove trees entangled with electrical wires.

Officials also urged property owners to photograph storm damage and promptly contact their insurance companies to begin filing claims.

Additional recovery information is available at myokaloosa.com.

Pensacola sanitation crews plan to work extended hours Monday, Oct. 12, to collect household garbage missed Friday and complete Monday's regularly scheduled pickups following Hurricane Isaias.

The city says crews will not collect storm debris with ordinary garbage. A separate contractor will handle hurricane debris, which residents should place in separate piles for vegetation and damaged building materials. Debris should not be bagged.

In a Sunday morning recovery update, city officials said Florida Power & Light had restored electricity to approximately 50,000 customers across Escambia County. The utility cautioned that its online outage map may not immediately reflect restored service.

Residents are also being urged to use caution around intersections with nonfunctioning traffic signals, which should be treated as four-way stops.

For hazardous downed power lines, residents can contact FPL at 1-800-468-8243. Water and sewer emergencies can be reported to ECUA at 850-554-1689.

Current road conditions are available at MyEscambia.com/roads and FL511.com.

Several public facilities in Gulf Breeze remain closed because of damage and hazardous conditions following Hurricane Isaias, city officials announced Saturday.

Shoreline Park South and the city's disc golf course are closed until further notice because of fallen trees, storm debris and damaged limbs. The Gulf Breeze Community Center also remains closed, and Gulf Breeze Sports Association programs are suspended.

Beginning Monday, Oct. 12, Ballfields 1 and 3 will serve as restricted staging areas for debris removal. Residents should expect heavy truck traffic nearby and avoid active cleanup operations.

The traffic signal at the entrance to Gulf Breeze Hospital is not functioning. Motorists should use caution and treat the intersection as a four-way stop when the signal is dark.

Mariners Landing has reopened to the public.

The city also canceled Monday's ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Thomas E. Lambert Reclamation Facility.

Officials have not announced reopening dates for the closed recreational facilities.

Residents of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties who need help cleaning up after Hurricane Isaias can request assistance through Crisis Cleanup, a service that connects disaster survivors with volunteer organizations.

BRACE, the Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies, is working with local and national relief groups to coordinate assistance for affected households.

Available help may include covering damaged roofs with tarps, removing fallen trees, clearing debris and cleaning out flooded homes.

Residents can request assistance by calling 1-800-451-1954. Services depend on the availability of volunteer teams and resources.

Those with other disaster-related needs can call 211 for referrals to assistance programs.

More information is available at BeReadyAlliance.org.

Residents affected by Hurricane Isaias can obtain free meals and emergency supplies Sunday at several locations across Escambia County.

The Salvation Army is serving meals through mobile feeding units at four sites, with hot dinner service scheduled for 4:30 p.m.:

• Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola
• Carver Park Resource Center, 208 Webb St., Cantonment
• Century Community Shelter, 720 Hecker Road, Century
• Marie K. Young-Wedgewood Community Center, 6405 Wagner Road, Pensacola

Meals are available to anyone in need, first come, first served, while supplies last. The county said the Wedgewood site exhausted its morning meal supply but expects to resume service for dinner.

Escambia County is also distributing bottled water and tarps until 5 p.m. Sunday at three sites:

• 120 Chief's Way, Pensacola
• Cordova Mall, 5100 N. Ninth Ave., Pensacola
• Anytime Fitness, 470 S. Highway 29, Cantonment

Supplies are available while they last. County officials cautioned that tarps may arrive later than water at some locations.

The emergency distribution comes as residents contend with widespread storm damage and boil-water advisories.

Santa Rosa County government offices, including libraries and the animal shelter, will remain closed Tuesday, Oct. 13, as recovery from Hurricane Isaias continues.

The county's Central Landfill in Milton has resumed regular operations and is accepting credit and debit card payments.

The Jay Transfer Station is scheduled to reopen Tuesday with regular operating hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The facility is accepting cash payments only.

Residents should keep ordinary household garbage, including spoiled food, separate from hurricane debris. Regular garbage collection will continue according to schedules established by individual waste service providers.

The emergency shelter at the Clyde L. Gracey Community Center, 5629 Byrom St. in Milton, remains open until further notice.

Advance registration is not required, but residents seeking shelter must present identification and proof of damage.

The shelter also accepts pets. Owners should bring carriers, vaccination records, food, water and other necessary supplies.

Residents needing transportation to the shelter can call 850-983-4636.

The First Judicial Circuit will remain closed in Santa Rosa County through Wednesday, Oct. 14. Jurors summoned for this week do not need to report, and domestic violence injunction hearings affected by the closure have been continued to Wednesday, Oct. 21.

County officials have not announced when all government offices will resume normal operations.

Courthouse closures and changes to jury service will continue into the coming week as Northwest Florida recovers from Hurricane Isaias.

The First Judicial Circuit, which serves Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties, announced the following schedules Sunday:

• Escambia County: The courthouse will be closed Monday, Oct. 12, and is scheduled to reopen Tuesday. Jurors summoned for Monday do not need to report.
• Santa Rosa County: The courthouse will remain closed through Wednesday, Oct. 14, with reopening scheduled for Thursday. Jurors summoned for any day this week do not need to report.
• Okaloosa County: Courthouses are scheduled to reopen for regular business Monday, Oct. 12. Summoned jurors should report as usual.
• Walton County: The courthouse will be closed Monday, Oct. 12, and is scheduled to reopen Tuesday. Jurors summoned for Monday do not need to report.

The circuit says it will announce further changes if recovery conditions affect those plans.

Santa Rosa County also reports that domestic violence injunction hearings affected by the closure will be continued to Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are preparing to begin collecting debris left by Hurricane Isaias on Wednesday, Oct. 14, as officials confront extensive damage from fallen trees and other storm debris.

Santa Rosa County estimates the hurricane generated approximately 1.7 million cubic yards of vegetative debris, including 1.3 million cubic yards north of Interstate 10.

Both counties are targeting Wednesday for the first round of collection. Within Pensacola city limits, however, limited debris removal is scheduled for Monday, with initial collection Tuesday and full-scale operations Wednesday.

Residents should place storm-generated debris along the public right-of-way, generally the area between the street and the sidewalk, ditch or utility easement.

Vegetative debris, including fallen trees, limbs and branches, must be kept separate from construction and demolition materials such as damaged lumber, drywall, fencing and furniture.

Debris should not be bagged or placed in roadways, drainage areas or near power lines and other utilities. Escambia County requires piles to remain at least four feet from mailboxes, water meters, fire hydrants and other above-ground utility equipment.

Santa Rosa County also clarified that contractors hired to cut or remove fallen trees are responsible for hauling away the resulting debris. Material from contractor-performed work is not eligible for county pickup.

Regular household garbage, including spoiled food, must be kept separate from storm debris. Escambia County's debris collection program is limited to residential properties.

Collection will not begin simultaneously in every neighborhood. Santa Rosa County plans multiple passes, and residents whose debris is not collected during the initial round should leave it properly separated and accessible for later pickup.

Officials caution that cleanup will take time because of the extent of the damage.

The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority is warning customers that its systemwide precautionary boil-water notice remains in effect following Hurricane Isaias, despite an inaccurate newspaper report that the advisory had been lifted.

ECUA said Sunday that the notice is not expected to be lifted before Monday or Tuesday, pending required testing and clearance. All ECUA water customers must continue following boil-water precautions until the utility issues an official notice.

The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County is also urging residents to follow advisories issued by their water providers, even where service has been restored.

Customers under a boil-water notice should bring tap water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before using it for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth or washing dishes. Allow water to cool before use. Bottled water is an alternative.

The health department also recommends providing pets with boiled or bottled drinking water and using treated water to sanitize dishes and food-contact surfaces.

Residents can check current boil-water advisories through the Florida Department of Health. Notices remain in effect until the responsible utility announces they have been lifted.

Santa Rosa County officials will hold a news briefing at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, as recovery efforts continue following Hurricane Isaias.

County leaders will speak outside the Santa Rosa County Emergency Operations Center at 4499 Pine Forest Road in Milton.

The briefing follows widespread damage from the hurricane, which brought down trees and power lines, left roads impassable and caused extensive electrical outages across the county.

WUWF will provide updates from the briefing as part of its continuing coverage of the storm's aftermath.

A nonprofit aviation organization arranged a flight carrying more than 1,100 pounds of disaster relief supplies to Destin on Sunday as recovery efforts continued following Hurricane Isaias.

Props For A Purpose, which organizes charitable aviation missions, scheduled the flight from Clarksville, Tennessee, to Destin Executive Airport, with arrival expected between 10:30 and 11 a.m.

The shipment includes chainsaws, hand tools, protective equipment, first-aid supplies, drinking water and a generator.

The organization says the supplies will be transferred to Fill the Needs, a disaster relief nonprofit, for distribution in the Destin area.

Four nonprofits are participating in the effort, with separate organizations coordinating supplies, transportation and local distribution.

The organizers cautioned that the flight's timing could change depending on weather and operating conditions.

Four people suffered minor injuries Saturday afternoon when an Escambia County ambulance collided with a pickup truck in Pensacola, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The ambulance was traveling east on West Michigan Avenue with its emergency lights and siren activated when the pickup attempted to turn left onto Michigan Avenue from Chicago Avenue.

FHP says the pickup failed to yield, and the front of the ambulance struck the pickup's left side.

The crash occurred at approximately 2:28 p.m. The injured included the pickup's driver, a 77-year-old Pensacola man, and three people in the ambulance: a 37-year-old woman and two men, ages 35 and 87. All four were reported to have minor injuries.

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott is scheduled to meet with local officials Sunday to assess damage from Hurricane Isaias and discuss recovery efforts in Okaloosa County.

Scott will participate in a briefing with local leaders and emergency management officials before holding a news conference at 12:30 p.m. Central at Dewey Destin's, 9 Calhoun Ave. in Destin.

He is expected to be joined by U.S. Rep. Jimmy Patronis, Destin Mayor Bobby Wagner and Okaloosa County Commissioners Carolyn Ketchel, Trey Goodwin and Drew Palmer, among other local officials.

Scott's office says the senator spoke Saturday with Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin about the federal response to the hurricane and assistance for Florida's recovery.

Isaias made landfall near Destin Friday night as a Category 2 hurricane, causing extensive damage and widespread power outages across Northwest Florida.

The University of West Florida is extending academic deadlines as students, faculty and staff contend with power outages and other disruptions following Hurricane Isaias.

"Due to the ongoing uncertainties many of our students are experiencing, all assignment, exam and project due dates scheduled during the campus closure or soon after must be extended," Provost Jaromy Kuhl wrote in a message to university employees Sunday.

The university is also extending the deadline for submitting Term 2 grades. Kuhl said officials are assessing how the change will affect the start of Term 3 and will provide further information.

Human Resources will make accommodations for employees unable to submit timesheets

All UWF locations, including its Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach campuses and the UWF Historic Trust, remain closed through Monday, Oct. 12. Normal operations are scheduled to resume Tuesday, unless conditions change

Residence halls remain closed. Students living on campus will be notified when it is safe to return.

Escambia County officials will hold a news conference at 1 p.m. Sunday to update residents on response and recovery efforts following Hurricane Isaias.

County public safety leaders and other officials will speak at the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center, 6575 N. W St. in Pensacola.

The county maintains a livestream through ECTV, although it has not announced whether Sunday's briefing will be carried there.

WUWF will provide updates from the briefing as information becomes available.

Gov. Ron DeSantis will hold a news conference in Milton at 1 p.m. Sunday to discuss recovery efforts following Hurricane Isaias.

The governor will be joined by U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and state Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly. The briefing will take place at the Waffle House at 8555 Keshav Taylor Drive.

The news conference will be livestreamed on the governor's Facebook and Rumble channels.

WUWF will provide updates from the briefing as part of its continuing coverage of the hurricane's aftermath.

Florida has opened two temporary insurance assistance centers in Northwest Florida to help residents file claims and resolve insurance problems following Hurricane Isaias.

The Florida Department of Financial Services confirmed Monday that assistance is available at the following locations:

• Pensacola: University of West Florida, 11000 University Parkway, Parking Lot B.
• Destin: Morgan Sports Complex, 4200 Indian Bayou Trail.

Both locations are operating Monday, with hours generally scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to the department.

The Destin center initially opened Sunday, approximately 36 hours after the hurricane made landfall. Representatives from 12 insurance companies participated in its first day of operations.

State insurance specialists and representatives from participating companies can help residents understand their policies, initiate claims and address problems with insurers. Some insurance companies may issue claim payments on-site.

Residents are encouraged to bring identification, insurance cards, policy information and photographs or other documentation of storm damage, if available.

The state is also warning residents to be cautious of fraudulent contractors and insurance scams during recovery.

People who cannot visit a center can obtain assistance by calling the Department of Financial Services at 1-877-693-5236.

Suspected insurance fraud can be reported at 1-800-378-0445 or through FraudFreeFlorida.com.

Operation BBQ Relief, a nonprofit that provides meals following disasters, is serving free food Sunday to people affected by Hurricane Isaias.

The organization has announced two distribution locations: the Walmart at 501 N. Navy Blvd. in Pensacola and the Walmart at 6861 U.S. Highway 98 in Santa Rosa Beach.

Lunch service begins at noon and dinner at 4 p.m. at both locations. Meals will be available until supplies run out.

The organization says it expects to continue providing meals in the area over the coming days as recovery efforts proceed.

More information is available at obr.org.

Okaloosa County is preparing to begin collecting debris left by Hurricane Isaias on Wednesday, Oct. 14, but residents of gated neighborhoods may need their homeowners associations to complete paperwork before collection crews can enter.

The county announced Tuesday that gated subdivisions and communities with staffed security entrances will receive debris collection services only after their homeowners associations submit a signed right-of-entry agreement.

The agreement authorizes county contractors to enter private communities to collect storm debris. Electronic signatures are acceptable.

Completed agreements should be emailed to Marciana Kip at mkip@myokaloosa.com.

The county has provided a right-of-entry agreement form for affected associations.

The requirement applies to gated communities in unincorporated Okaloosa County, where the county's debris collection program is scheduled to begin Wednesday.

Residents should place storm-generated debris at the curb without bagging it. Tree limbs and branches should be kept separate from damaged building materials, including drywall and furniture.

Electronics are not eligible for collection.

Debris piles should be placed away from fire hydrants, mailboxes, utility equipment and parked vehicles. Ordinary household garbage must be kept separate from storm debris.

The county plans two rounds of debris collection. The date of the second pickup will be announced after the first round.

Residents can call the county's debris information hotline at 1-833-495-3664, which operates from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Residents within incorporated city limits should contact their municipal governments for debris collection schedules.

Okaloosa County will distribute drinking water, emergency meals and tarps Sunday afternoon to residents of northern Okaloosa County affected by Hurricane Isaias.

The distribution site will operate from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive.

Supplies include bottled water, ready-to-eat meals and tarps for temporary protection of storm-damaged roofs.

The distribution is intended for northern Okaloosa County residents. County officials are encouraging residents in southern Okaloosa County to use grocery stores and other businesses that have reopened.

Pensacola International Airport has reopened for regularly scheduled commercial flights following Hurricane Isaias.

Airport officials confirmed Sunday that the airport is operational but cautioned that individual flights may still be affected by storm-related disruptions

Passengers should check directly with their airlines for current departure times, arrivals and any changes to their itineraries before heading to the airport

The reopening follows the resumption of operations Saturday evening at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport.

Much of Gulf Islands National Seashore remains closed as the National Park Service assesses damage from Hurricane Isaias.

In Florida, closures include Fort Pickens, Fort Barrancas, Naval Live Oaks, Johnson Beach, Opal Beach, the Okaloosa Area and Crab Island. Highway 399 through the Santa Rosa Island park areas is also closed.

The park's barrier islands in Mississippi, including Ship Island, remain closed. The Davis Bayou area and campground in Mississippi reopened Sunday.

The National Park Service plans to reassess conditions Tuesday, Oct. 13. The closures will remain in effect until further notice.

Updates are available at nps.gov/guis.

Water and sewer service has been restored on Okaloosa Island following disruptions caused by Hurricane Isaias, according to Okaloosa County officials.

The county says both systems are operating but is urging residents and businesses to continue conserving water because infrastructure remains under strain and several critical facilities are compromised.

Residents can report storm damage online.

The announcement marks a significant step in restoring essential services to the barrier island, where flooding and utility damage complicated recovery efforts Saturday.

Florida residents dealing with property damage from Hurricane Isaias can get help navigating insurance claims through the state's Department of Financial Services.

Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia announced Saturday that the department's Division of Consumer Services is assisting policyholders with questions about filing claims and resolving insurance-related problems.

Residents can call 1-877-693-5236 for assistance with the claims process.

The department is also warning residents to watch for fraudulent contractors and insurance scams during recovery. Suspected insurance fraud can be reported to 1-800-378-0445 or through FraudFreeFlorida.com.

The department is preparing temporary insurance assistance centers for storm victims, although locations and operating hours have not yet been announced.

Florida's Office of Insurance Regulation also plans to begin collecting information Monday from insurers about their handling of hurricane-related property claims.

A portion of Old Bagdad Highway in Santa Rosa County has been closed to allow Florida Power & Light crews to work on electrical infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Isaias.

The closure extends from U.S. Highway 90 to Parkmore Plaza Drive, according to a Santa Rosa County advisory issued at 5:20 p.m. Saturday.

The county has not announced when the road will reopen.

Utility crews are continuing restoration work throughout Northwest Florida after the hurricane caused widespread power outages and brought down trees and electrical lines.

Drivers should avoid the closed section and allow crews room to work.

Eglin Air Force Base has rescinded its limited evacuation order following Hurricane Isaias, clearing affected military personnel, civilian employees and eligible family members to return to their primary residences.

The order had applied to designated evacuation zones in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties.

Under the revised guidance, personnel covered by the evacuation order must return to their primary residences by 11:59 p.m. Central Monday, Oct. 12. Authorized evacuation travel, lodging and meal allowances will end at the same time.

Installation commander Col. Chris Keithley urged personnel to review local government advisories and evaluate road conditions before traveling.

The change ends the evacuation order but does not mean all base facilities have reopened. The base says its 96th Medical Group emergency and inpatient services remain available.

Further information about installation operations and claims for property damaged during the storm is available at eglin.af.mil.

All Community Health Northwest Florida offices will remain closed Sunday, Oct. 11, because of power and water outages following Hurricane Isaias.

The organization announced Saturday that it is continuing to assess damage and utility service at its facilities. It has not announced a reopening date.

Community Health Northwest Florida operates a network of medical and dental clinics serving patients across the region, including people who are uninsured or have limited access to health care.

The organization says it will reopen facilities as soon as conditions permit.

Patients can monitor healthcarewithinreach.org for information about services and reopening plans.

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport has reopened following its closure during Hurricane Isaias, according to Okaloosa County officials.

The county announced Saturday evening that the airport, also known as VPS, had resumed operations as crews continued restoring systems affected by the storm.

Passengers should expect flight schedules to remain disrupted and confirm their flight status directly with their airline before traveling to the airport.

The reopening follows widespread transportation disruptions across Northwest Florida caused by Hurricane Isaias, which made landfall near Destin on Friday night as a Category 2 hurricane.

A disaster relief organization is providing free hot meals to Pensacola residents and emergency workers affected by Hurricane Isaias.

Mercy Chefs, a Virginia-based nonprofit that prepares meals in communities recovering from disasters, has deployed a mobile kitchen to Transformation Church at 6800 Mobile Highway in Pensacola.

Meal service began Saturday evening. Beginning Sunday, Oct. 11, the organization plans to serve lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and dinner from 4 to 6 p.m.

Meals are available to anyone in need, including residents, families, utility workers and first responders.

Founded in 2006 following Hurricane Katrina, Mercy Chefs has responded to disasters across the Gulf Coast, including Hurricane Michael in 2018. The organization says it has served more than 39 million meals since its founding.

Additional information about its relief operations is available at mercychefs.com.

The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County has issued a health advisory for Toms Bayou near Hidden Cove Drive in Valparaiso following a wastewater release.

The department warns that contaminated water may contain untreated sewage and microorganisms that can cause gastrointestinal illnesses and other infections. Residents and visitors should avoid contact with the affected waterway. Anyone exposed to the water should wash thoroughly, particularly before eating or drinking.

Children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems face greater risks from exposure.

Drinking water is not affected by the advisory.

The City of Valparaiso will continue testing the water. The advisory will remain in effect until testing shows conditions are safe and health officials announce that it has been lifted.

For more information, contact DOH-Okaloosa at 850-833-9247.

The University of West Florida will remain closed through Monday, Oct. 12, as officials continue assessing damage from Hurricane Isaias.

The closure applies to the Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach campuses, the UWF Historic Trust, classes, university events and campus activities. Residence halls also remain closed. Housing and Residence Life will notify residential students when they may return.

The university says normal operations and classes are scheduled to resume Tuesday, Oct. 13, unless conditions change. Students and employees should monitor official university announcements and Mobile Alert notifications. The university’s emergency information line is 850-474-3333.

Santa Rosa County says clearing storm debris could take at least a month as workers begin assessing the damage left by Hurricane Isaias.

In a Saturday afternoon update, county officials said initial inspections showed damage concentrated in trees, fences, sheds and roofs. Public works employees and National Guard teams began cutting and removing fallen trees when winds subsided. Crews are prioritizing routes needed by emergency responders, then major roads and neighborhood streets.

Residents preparing debris for collection should separate branches and other vegetation from construction materials, such as fencing and damaged building components. The county asks that debris be placed beside roads without blocking traffic, drainage ditches, mailboxes or fire hydrants, and not beneath power lines.

The county also reports water service to Navarre Beach remained shut off following a Friday precautionary closure. Once service is restored, a boil-water notice will remain in place until testing confirms the water is safe.

Santa Rosa County has lifted its dusk-to-dawn curfew following Hurricane Isaias, county officials announced Monday evening.

Mandatory evacuation orders for Zones A, B and C have also been rescinded, allowing residents to return to Navarre Beach.

Officials are urging residents to exercise extreme caution because storm damage, utility disruptions and debris remain. Visitors are being asked to stay away from Navarre Beach while recovery continues.

Most county roads are passable, but not all have been completely cleared. Officials continue to discourage unnecessary travel.

Residents can call Santa Rosa County's Citizen Information Line at 850-983-4636 for recovery information.

The Florida Blue service center in Pensacola will remain closed Tuesday, Oct. 13, as Northwest Florida continues recovering from Hurricane Isaias.

The health insurer announced Monday that its center at 1680 Airport Blvd. is scheduled to resume normal operations Wednesday, Oct. 14.

Florida Blue continues offering free mental health counseling and other assistance to residents affected by the hurricane, regardless of whether they have insurance through the company.

Licensed counselors are available around the clock in English and Spanish at 1-833-848-1762 for people experiencing stress, anxiety, trauma or grief.

Florida Blue members can also obtain an early 30-day emergency supply of prescription medications at in-network pharmacies. The company cautions that pharmacies outside its network may not authorize early refills.

Residents needing assistance finding food, transportation, housing or other community services can contact Florida Blue's community specialists, including social workers, at 1-877-352-5830. The service is free to members and nonmembers.

The company is also contacting members with chronic illnesses, special needs and other health risks to help them obtain medications, medical supplies and essential services.

People who rely on electrically powered medical equipment, including oxygen machines or ventilators, should contact their health care providers and local emergency management officials if they remain without power.

Florida Blue's Tallahassee center and all Capital Health Plan locations are operating normally, according to the company's Monday update.

Additional information is available through Florida Blue's hurricane resources page.

Relief trucks carrying drinking water, food, hygiene kits, baby supplies and cleaning products arrived in Pace on Saturday as Convoy of Hope began staging supplies for communities affected by Hurricane Isaias.

The faith-based humanitarian organization said its fleet and personnel were gathering at Pace Assembly of God, 3948 U.S. 90. Supplies are being staged with local partners that will establish distribution locations for storm survivors. The organization had not announced public distribution sites or hours as of its Saturday afternoon update. Residents should not assume they can collect supplies at the church yet.

Convoy of Hope, based in Springfield, Missouri, works with local organizations and volunteers to distribute emergency supplies after disasters and, when possible, provide longer-term recovery assistance. The organization says it has conducted more than 900 disaster responses worldwide. In an Oct. 1 account of its work this year, it said it had already responded to 77 disasters in 2026.

“Today is the first day of a recovery that will take weeks, but Convoy of Hope will be here every step of the way,” Ethan Forhetz, the organization’s vice president, said in a statement Saturday. “We are focused on helping the most vulnerable areas.”

Forhetz is in Pace as the response gets underway. Convoy of Hope has not yet specified how many households it expects to serve locally or when its first public distributions will begin. Updates are available through its hurricane response page.

The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County is urging residents to limit mosquito bites and remove standing water after Hurricane Isaias. Water collecting in buckets, planters, tires and other containers can provide places for mosquitoes to breed.

The department recommends emptying and cleaning containers that hold rainwater, wearing long sleeves and pants when mosquitoes are active, and using insect repellent according to the label. Remove standing water only when it is safe to do so; avoid floodwater and debris near downed electrical lines.

The advisory notes that mosquitoes can spread illnesses such as dengue and West Nile virus. It does not report a new outbreak or confirmed storm-related infection. More information is available on the Florida Department of Health website.

Walmart says several of its stores are temporarily closed because of Hurricane Isaias, but the company has not identified specific Northwest Florida locations in its Saturday afternoon notice.

Residents should check the company’s store-status page before traveling for groceries, drinking water or other supplies. The page provides a search by city or ZIP code and is intended to show closures and reopenings as conditions change.

Walmart did not provide a timetable for reopening affected stores. Residents should continue to avoid unnecessary travel on roads where crews are clearing trees, debris and downed power lines.

Local governments across Northwest Florida are asking residents and business owners to document damage from Hurricane Isaias as officials assess the storm's impact and identify recovery needs.

Walton County announced Monday that property owners can submit damage reports through separate online forms for homes and businesses.

The county says the reports will help document the extent of the destruction and identify where residents may need assistance with housing, food, water and emergency supplies.

Walton County's reporting forms are available online:

• Residential damage assessment
• Business damage assessment

Okaloosa County is also collecting information through its official damage assessment form.

Santa Rosa County has asked residents to report damage through the county Property Appraiser's website, although the reporting system experienced technical difficulties Saturday. Residents should confirm the service is working before submitting information.

Local damage assessments help governments estimate losses and determine what resources may be needed for recovery.

They are separate from insurance claims and do not establish eligibility for federal disaster assistance.

Property owners should photograph damage when it is safe to do so, retain receipts for emergency repairs and contact their insurance companies promptly.

Walton County residents needing additional information can contact the county Emergency Operations Center at 850-892-8065.

Two Pensacola firefighters were injured responding to a house fire during Hurricane Isaias, and a police officer rescued a man from a burning home, city officials said. The city had not identified those incidents as the same event.

Pensacola police handled 185 calls overnight. Fire crews responded to structure fires, gas leaks and electrical hazards while city workers began clearing fallen trees and debris.

City officials urge residents to limit travel so crews can reach obstructed streets. Road-hazard lists can change quickly as work proceeds.

Escambia County fire and emergency medical crews responded to nearly 200 calls in about two hours once conditions were safe enough for first responders to resume operations, communications director Kaycee Lagarde told WUWF’s Sandra Averhart Saturday morning.

Lagarde said crews first handled calls that had accumulated during the strongest winds. Damage assessments were beginning in daylight, with extensive reports of fallen trees and damage to homes.

Lagarde described the initial reports as more heavily related to wind damage than flooding. The full extent of damage remained under assessment at the time of the interview.

Eglin Air Force Base entered Hurricane Condition 1R at 6:15 a.m. Saturday, meaning the most destructive winds had subsided and recovery crews could begin assessing the installation for damage.

The base said its gates remained restricted to mission-essential and emergency-response personnel. People living on base were directed to shelter in place until commanders declared their areas safe.

Residents and personnel should check official Eglin announcements before attempting to return or travel around the installation.

President Donald Trump approved a federal emergency declaration for Florida after Hurricane Isaias, allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate federal support for urgent state and local response needs.

FEMA said the declaration covers 27 counties, including Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton. Eligible emergency protective measures can receive direct federal assistance under the declaration.

This is not the same as a major disaster declaration. The emergency declaration does not automatically provide individual financial assistance to homeowners or renters.

Baptist Health Care says Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, Gulf Breeze Hospital and Jay Hospital are open Saturday, as is the emergency room and urgent care center at Baptist Medical Park–Nine Mile.

Baptist Medical Group clinics, the Navarre emergency and urgent care center, Airport urgent care, outpatient surgery facilities, laboratories, imaging services and several pharmacies are closed Saturday, the health system said.

Patients should confirm a location’s operating status before traveling for nonemergency care because storm-related conditions may cause additional changes.

Okaloosa County officials said they would begin closing emergency evacuation shelters at 10 a.m. Saturday at Davidson Middle School in Crestview and the Arena at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville.

The county said the transition would not involve abruptly removing people who still needed assistance. Emergency evacuation shelters provide temporary protection during dangerous weather and may not remain open as longer-term housing.

Anyone who still needs shelter should call the county’s Citizen Information Line at 850-609-7000 or 311 for current arrangements rather than relying on Friday’s shelter-opening notices.

Santa Rosa County said its Citizen Information Line, 850-983-4636, was back online at 10:35 a.m. Saturday after an outage earlier in the morning.

Residents can use the number for storm information and to report trees blocking public roads. County crews are clearing roadways but cannot remove trees from private property. Officials ask residents not to call 911 for routine reports of fallen trees or wires; call 911 for an immediate emergency.

The county also reported technical problems with its online property-damage reporting service Saturday morning. Check official county updates before relying on that system.

Santa Rosa County officials plan to hold a news briefing at 2 p.m. Central Saturday outside the Emergency Operations Center at 4499 Pine Forest Road in Milton.

Scheduled speakers include County Commission Chairman Colten Wright, Public Safety Director Tom Lloyd, County Administrator Brad Baker and Sheriff Bob Johnson. Officials are expected to discuss emergency services, law enforcement, road clearance and recovery operations.

The county’s announcement did not contain a public livestream link. WUWF is covering the briefing and will report confirmed developments as information becomes available.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is scheduled to give a recovery briefing at 1:15 p.m. Central Saturday at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island, 1450 Miracle Strip Parkway SE in Fort Walton Beach. An updated advisory from the governor's office changed the location from Legendary Marina in Destin; the time did not change.

Okaloosa County officials said in a Saturday morning update that residents who evacuated Okaloosa Island should wait for an official all-clear before returning. The county had not provided an updated reentry announcement in the official notices available for this review.

County public information officer Nick Tomecek said floodwater remained along Santa Rosa Boulevard. Crews and state troopers were pumping water off the roadway and evaluating whether travel could resume safely. The county’s public safety director would authorize a return when assessments were complete.

Water and sewer service on the island was also disconnected as of the county's 7:45 a.m. report. Residents should check myokaloosa.com/eoc/home or call 850-609-7000 for updated access and utility information before traveling.

The Florida Department of Transportation reported that Interstate 10, U.S. 98 and state-owned bridges in the affected area had reopened following inspections early Saturday. That announcement does not mean all local roads, bridges or beach access routes are open.

Santa Rosa County reported widespread road obstructions from downed trees and power lines. Pensacola also identified hazardous conditions along portions of Scenic Highway, Ninth Avenue, Davis Highway and Bayou Boulevard, among other streets.

Authorities are asking residents to avoid unnecessary travel while emergency personnel and utility crews work. Drivers should treat dark traffic signals as four-way stops and never drive over a fallen power line. Check FL511.com and local advisories before departing.

Okaloosa County scheduled its first post-storm distribution site to open at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Destin-Fort Walton Rigdon Center, formerly the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds, at 1319 Lewis Turner Blvd. in Fort Walton Beach.

The county said the site would provide bottled water, meals ready to eat and tarps to Okaloosa County residents who need them. Meals ready to eat, or MREs, are shelf-stable packaged meals used during emergencies.

Additional locations are planned as supplies arrive and officials determine where the need is greatest. The county has discussed a future location in the Crestview area but had not announced an address or opening time in its morning update. For updates, visit myokaloosa.com/eoc/home or call 850-609-7000 or 311. Confirm the site is operating before traveling.

Okaloosa County Water and Sewer says drinking water remains potable for customers whose service is functioning. The utility is asking residents to conserve water because many of its wells are operating on backup generators amid widespread power outages.

The situation is different on Okaloosa Island, where county officials said water and sewer service remained shut off as of 7:45 a.m. Saturday. Residents will receive updates through the county’s emergency notification system and official channels.

The county also advised residents to wait for an official clearance before returning to the island. Floodwater remained along Santa Rosa Boulevard during its morning assessment, with crews pumping water and examining the roadway for hazards.

Customers of the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority and Pace Water System remain under separate precautionary boil-water notices following Hurricane Isaias. The advisories mean customers should treat tap water before using it for drinking, preparing food or brushing their teeth, even if water service has resumed.

Affected customers should bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute. Allow it to cool before use. The notices remain in place until the respective utilities announce they have been lifted.

ECUA has reported restoring water service to Baptist Hospital, Ascension Sacred Heart and HCA Florida West Hospital. Restoring service does not, by itself, end a boil-water notice.

More than 448,000 electricity customer accounts were without power across Florida as of 7 a.m. Saturday, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis. The figure is a snapshot, not a live outage total, and conditions may have changed since the briefing.

In his morning remarks, DeSantis said roughly 90% of Santa Rosa County customers, 75% of Escambia County customers and 53% of Okaloosa County customers were without power at that point. The state said more than 16,000 utility workers had been positioned ahead of the storm.

Utility crews must assess damage, clear trees from lines, repair equipment and safely restore power. Okaloosa County officials said service to hospitals and other essential emergency facilities is being prioritized. Residents should assume fallen electrical lines are energized and stay away from them.

Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said Saturday that a man died from carbon monoxide poisoning associated with a generator, bringing the county’s reported Hurricane Isaias death toll to two. Four other people who were in the home were hospitalized, Simmons said. Their conditions were not immediately available.

The first reported death occurred Friday evening when a tree fell onto a home, according to Escambia County communications director Kaycee Lagarde, who spoke with WUWF’s Sandra Averhart Saturday morning.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced by fuel-burning equipment. Portable generators must be operated outdoors, at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents — never inside a house or garage, even with the garage door open. Anyone who suspects carbon monoxide exposure should get into fresh air immediately and seek emergency medical help.

Updated 5:44 p.m. Oct. 9

The following bridges are closed due to high wind speeds until further notice:

• Garcon Point Bridge
• Three-Mile Bridge
• Navarre Beach Causeway
• Theo Baars Bridge
• Clyde B. Wells Bridge (Walton County)

All University of West Florida locations, including the Pensacola campus, Fort Walton Beach campus, and UWF Historic Trust, will remain closed through Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, to allow the University to assess any potential damage on campus and provide those who have evacuated time to return to campus safely.

This includes all classes, events, and campus activities. Residence Halls will remain closed. Residential students will be notified by Housing and Residence Life when it is safe to return to their respective hall.

Normal University operations, classes, events, and campus activities will resume Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, unless conditions change, in which case University officials will notify all students, faculty, and staff.

Zone C has been added to the evacuation order for Santa Rosa County. Evacuation order is now Zones A, B, and C.

Check your zone at SantaRosa.fl.gov/KnowYourZone. Call (850) 983-4636 if you need help.

To recap:
Walton County:
Evacuation orders for zones A, B and C

Okaloosa County:
Mandatory evacuation order for zones A and B

Escambia County:
Evacuation order for zones A and B

Check your zone: https://floridadisaster.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=aa18a2d8737c4d66bb6434a09e17203a

Gov. Ron DeSantis has directed the suspension of tolls on Mid-Bay Bridge and Spence Parkway in Okaloosa County and Garcon Point Bridge in Santa Rosa County to facilitate evacuations out of the storm’s direct path.

Use FL511.com or download the Florida 511 app for the most up-to-date road conditions.

For city-owned and county-owned road closures, follow local pages for updates as weather conditions change.

• Escambia County
• Santa Rosa County
• Okaloosa County

Updated 8:35 Oct. 9

Here's a breakdown of the local evacuation orders:

Walton County:
Walton County Board of County Commissioners has issued a mandatory evacuation for Zones A, B, & C, beginning Oct. 8 at 12 p.m. CST.

Okaloosa County:
A mandatory evacuation is active 12 p.m. Thursday, Oct 8 for residents living in the coastal areas of Zones A and B. This includes residents living on Okaloosa Island, portions of coastal Fort Walton Beach, portions of coastal Destin, portions of coastal Mary Esther, and Niceville.

Santa Rosa County:
An evacuation order, effective at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, has been issued for Zones A B, C and low-lying areas and mobile homes in Santa Rosa County.

Escambia County:
Escambia County has issued an evacuation order for evacuation Zones A and B, effective at noon today, Thursday, Oct. 8. This area includes Perdido Key, Innerarity Point, Pensacola Beach, and other low-lying areas. The evacuation order also includes anyone living in a mobile home or a low-lying area, regardless of your evacuation zone.

Not sure what evacuation zone your property is in?
https://maps.floridadisaster.org/county/EVAC_WALTON.pdf

Escambia County has issued an evacuation order for evacuation Zones A and B, effective at noon today, Thursday, Oct. 8. This area includes Perdido Key, Innerarity Point, Pensacola Beach, and other low-lying areas. The evacuation order also includes anyone living in a mobile home or a low-lying area, regardless of your evacuation zone. Please take this notice seriously.

Here is a list of local shelters

Transportation

• Escambia County Area Transit will be providing free transportation to the shelters. Those seeking transportation through ECAT should call the Citizen Information Line at 850-471-6600.
• Those transporting pets must ensure pets are in a carrier.
• Click here for more information about what to bring to a shelter.
• Anyone staying at the special needs shelter must register in advance through the Special Needs Shelter Registry using this link.
• After registration is completed, you will be contacted by Emergency Management, DOH-Escambia, or both to determine your eligibility and ensure the shelter can meet your individual needs.
• For more information on your local shelter status, please visit FloridaDisaster.org.
• If you are a caregiver, you should accompany the special needs client. Bring enough items to last at least five days for both you and the client.
• If you are eligible for a special needs shelter, your kit should include:
  
  • List of medications and dosage
  • A 30-day supply of medications
  • Vital medical equipment for those who may be electrically or oxygen dependent
  • Backup energy sources for essential medical equipment
  • Any special dietary needs or food
  • Personal information including photo ID, insurance card, list of emergency contacts, and your primary care provider’s contact information

Evacuation Information

• Evacuation routes can be viewed here. 
• For a map of evacuation routes and zones, click here.
• If you live in an evacuation zone, be sure to check on neighbors, especially the elderly and those with special needs.
• The Escambia County Citizen Information Line is now open. Residents with questions may call 850-471-6600.

Here are the hurricane shelters currently open. This post will be updated when necessary.

Walton County:

• Freeport High School, 12615 US Hwy 331, is open as of 8 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, for the general population, special needs citizens, and pets (cats and dogs only). Bring your own kennel or pet carrier, food, supplies, and vaccination records if available.

Okaloosa County:
Two shelters will open at 6 p.m. Thursday, October 8, to receive evacuating residents of Okaloosa County.

• Davidson Middle School, 6261 Old Bethel Rd. Crestview. (General Population, Special Needs, and Pet-friendly). Animals will be kept on-site, but owners will not be able to visit with the animals to avoid injuries. Special needs individuals must register ahead of time at: https://okaloosa.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/emergency-preparedness-andresponse/special-needs-shelter-spns/
  
• The Raider Arena at Northwest Florida State College 100 E College Blvd, Niceville

Santa Rosa County:

• The Clyde L. Gracey (Milton) Community Center, 5629 Byrom St. in Milton, will open at 8 a.m. on Friday, October 8, as a shelter for residents who want to evacuate or do not feel safe in their homes. No pre-registration is required. This shelter is also pet-friendly shelter. Bring pet(s) in a carrier with proof of vaccinations and all pet food and supplies, including water, leashes, and/or litter boxes with litter.

Escambia County:
Escambia County will have two pet-friendly shelters open Friday morning.

• The Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St.
• Marie K. Young-Wedgewood Community Center & Park, 6405 Wagner Rd., will open as a special needs shelter.

Baldwin County:
Here are emergency shelters opening Thursday and Friday.

• Baldwin County Coliseum — Robertsdale
  Shelter opens Thursday, October 8, at 3 p.m. The address is 19477 Fairground Road, Robertsdale, AL 36567. A pet-friendly shelter is available at the same location.
• St. Paul's Episcopal Church — Foley
  The shelter opens Friday, October 9, at 6 a.m.
  The address is 506 N. Pine Street, Foley, AL
  St. Paul's Episcopal Church will provide an additional community shelter option through local Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster partners. For additional information, call 251-256-8202.

Pensacola International Airport just announced it will close operations starting at 10 a.m. Friday morning.

The reopening date and time remain to be determined and will depend on damage assessments and confirmation that operations can safely resume. We will share updates as more information becomes available, the announcement said.

For more information, visit https://www.flypensacola.com/

This morning, Santa Rosa County Commissioners declared a local state of emergency. In the meeting, County Administrator Brad Baker said voluntary evacuations could be announced mid-day today for zones A and B after a call with the National Weather Service.

The Clyde L. Gracey (Milton) Community Center, 5629 Byrom St. in Milton, will open at 8 a.m. on Friday, October 8, as a shelter for residents who want to evacuate or do not feel safe in their homes. No pre-registration is required.

This shelter is also a pet-friendly shelter. Bring pet(s) in a carrier with proof of vaccinations and all pet food and supplies, including water, leashes and/or litter boxes with litter.

Shelters are usually uncomfortable. Meals are not provided. It is recommended that other arrangements be made to stay at a hotel or with a friends or family in a well-constructed home that is properly protected to withstand hurricane-force winds.

Anyone needing transportation assistance to a shelter should call (850) 983-4636. Transportation will only be provided if winds are below tropical storm force (so call early) and will only take you to a designated shelter.

Bring the following items:

- Personal identification

- Water, non-perishable snacks and any special dietary needs.

- A change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes.

- Toiletries and personal items.

- Blankets, pillows and sleeping bags.

- Games or toys for children; books for adults.

- Special items for infants or elderly family members.

- Battery-operated radio, flashlights and plenty of spare batteries.

- Prescriptions or any over-the-counter medications you normally need.

Escambia County Commissioners held an emergency meeting regarding Hurricane Isaias. Commissioners voted unanimously to declare a state of local emergency. You can watch the meeting below.

Citizens can also call the county's info line at 850-471-6600

All Pensacola State College locations will be closed Friday, Oct. 9, and Saturday, Oct. 10, due to Tropical Storm Isaias, according to a post from the PSC Facebook page.

This includes all classes, events, campus activities, and online courses.

PSC will remain open Thursday, Oct. 8, the post said.

Okaloosa County has declared a local state of emergency as of 5 p.m. Wednesday, October 7, according to a press release.

Okaloosa County is asking all out-of-town visitors to evacuate from the forecast area of impacts beginning Wednesday evening at 8 p.m.

Okaloosa residents (Zones A and B): A mandatory evacuation (Active 12 p.m. Thursday, Oct 8, 2026) has been ordered for residents living in the coastal areas of Zones A and B. This includes residents living on Okaloosa Island, portions of coastal Fort Walton Beach, portions of coastal Destin, portions of coastal Mary Esther, and Niceville. Residents can look up their address at https://myokaloosa.com/gis_ps, click the search button, and view their zone designation and an option to view a map. Or visit the state website: https://floridadisaster.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=aa18a2d8737c4d66bb6434a09e17203a

The release urges residents to take this storm seriously and evacuate if located in Zones A and B.
"
Do not wait until the last moment to enter the roadways," the release said. "Plan early, execute early to mitigate avoidable slowdowns."

Shelters opening:

It is highly recommended that other arrangements be made with a friend or relative who lives in a well-constructed home outside of the evacuation area and properly protected to withstand hurricane-force winds.

Two shelters will open on Thursday evening, 6 p.m. to receive evacuating residents of Okaloosa County. (More may open at a later time depending on need.)

Davidson Middle School, 6261 Old Bethel Rd, Crestview, FL 32536 (General Population, Special Needs and Pet-friendly).

The Raider Arena at Northwest Florida State College 100 E College Blvd, Niceville

Animals will be kept onsite, but owners will not be able to visit with the animals to avoid injuries

Special needs individuals must register ahead of time at https://okaloosa.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/emergency-preparedness-and-response/special-needs-shelter-spns/

UWF announced that classes will be canceled tomorrow and Friday.

All classes at the Pensacola campus, Fort Walton Beach campus, and online are canceled beginning Thursday, Oct. 8 at all UWF locations, including the Pensacola campus, Fort Walton Beach campus, and UWF Historic Trust, will close Thursday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. This includes all classes, events, and campus activities. Nonessential personnel, as defined by your division head, do not need to report to campus on Thursday, Oct. 8.

Normal University operations, classes, events, and campus activities will resume Monday, Oct. 12, unless conditions change, in which case University officials will notify all students, faculty, and staff.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

Escambia County courthouses will close at 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 8 and remain closed on Friday, October 9.

Felony Arraignments scheduled for Friday, October 9 will be reset to Friday, October 16, 2026, at 8:30 a.m.

Civil Traffic Infraction Hearings scheduled on Friday, October 9 will be reset to Friday, October 23, 2026, at 9 a.m.

          First Appearances previously scheduled on Friday, October 9 at 10:30 a.m. will be heard Friday, October 9 at 8 a.m. at the Juvenile Justice Center.

Pre-Trial Detention Hearings previously scheduled on Friday, October 9 at 11 a.m. will be heard Friday, October 9 at 9 a.m. at the Juvenile Justice Center.

All other hearings will be reset by the assigned judge.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

The Santa Rosa County Courthouse will close at 2:30 on Thursday, October 8 and will remain closed on Friday, October 9.

OKALOOSA  COUNTY

The Okaloosa County courthouses will close at 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 8 and will remain closed on Friday, October 9.

WALTON  COUNTY

The Walton County Courthouse will be closed on Friday, October 9.

Any changes to these closures will be transmitted as soon as possible.

The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport released this statement on social media Wednesday afternoon:

Due to impending weather, Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) will close to all operations at 9 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, and remain closed until further notice. We will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. Please check with your airline for the latest flight information.

The Pensacola International Airport has said it is monitoring the storm, but has not made any closure announcements at this time.

Saturday's home game against Northeastern State has been canceled.

Visit goargos.com for other UWF athletics schedule changes.

With the area under a hurricane watch, it's a good time to make sure you are prepared.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management advises these preparation steps:

1. Make a plan
Include all members and pets of your households when making your plan. Get familiar with your local emergency management offices.

2. Know your evacuation zone
You can find your evacuation zone here.

3. Build your disaster supply kit
Build or restock your supplies. Click here for a printable checklist.

4. Make copies
Make copies of IDs and important documents to store in a safe place.

5. Stay alert
You can get statewide alerts from these agencies:

• AlertFlorida Local Emergency Alerts
• Ready.gov Alerts
• Florida Highway Patrol
• Florida Storms App
• Florida Public Radio Stations - Downloadable Map

Escambia County Public Schools Superintendent Keith Leonard announced that schools and district offices will be closed on Friday, October 9.

The National Weather Service forecast indicates severe weather moving through the area on Friday, with the possibility of heavy precipitation and hazardous winds. In an abundance of caution, all schools, district offices, and after-school activities, including indoor and outdoor athletics, have been canceled for Friday, October 9, 2026.

“Although Monday, October 12, is a holiday for our students, we anticipate all other departments will resume work as usual on Monday,” stated Superintendent Keith Leonard. “Of course, we'll continue to work closely with local emergency operations officials to determine what is safest for our families and staff. We will always err on the side of caution when it comes to the safety of our students and employees.”

In Santa Rosa County, Superintendent Dr. Karen Barber released a statement announcing that all after-school activities scheduled for Thursday have been canceled and schools will be closed for students and staff on Thursday, Oct. 8 and Friday, October 9. All school-related activities and events scheduled for Friday and Saturday have also been canceled.

Okaloosa County Schools will be closed on Thursday, October 8, and Friday, October 9. In a social media post, the district said the decision was to alleviate additional roadway pressures and to provide our families and school district employees with sufficient time to make the necessary arrangements in preparation for the storm. Schools will communicate directly with families regarding any school events, extracurricular activities, or athletic events that may be impacted.

See live forecast, spaghetti models, and information from Florida Storms

As a result of a National Weather Service advisory, and in accordance with the Severe Weather Emergency Action Plan, the National Park Service will close all areas of Gulf Islands National Seashore beginning today, October 7, in preparation for Tropical Storm Isaias.

The storm is expected to become a hurricane within the next 24 hours. For more information visit our park website and Facebook page.

Florida

- Fort Barrancas Area, Naval Live Oaks Area, Fort Pickens Management Area, Santa Rosa Management Area (Opal Beach), Perdido Key Management Area (Johnson Beach), Okaloosa Area and Crab Island.

Mississippi

- All the barrier islands including Ship Island and Davis Bayou Area.

Highway 399 east and west bound on Santa Rosa Island in Florida will close Friday, time to be determined.

Escambia County has sandbags at these locations on a first-come-first-served basis 24 hours a day

• Baars Field Athletic Park: 13001 Sorrento Rd.
• Brent Athletic Park: 4711 N. W. St.
• Don Sutton Park: 2320 Crabtree Church Rd. Molino
• Equestrian Center: 7750 Mobile Hwy.
• Escambia County Road Department: 601 Hwy. 297-A
• Ferry Pass Middle School: 8355 Yancey Lane (on the northwest corner of school property on Parazine Street)
• John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Park: 555 E. Nine Mile Rd.
• Travis M. Nelson Park: 4541 County Rd. 4, Century

Beginning Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, at 4 p.m. CST, sandbags will be available at two locations in Okaloosa County:

• 714 Essex Rd. in Fort Walton Beach and
• 1759 South Ferdon Blvd. in Crestview.

Sign up for local emergency alerts at alertokaloosa.com

Santa Rosa County Public Works Department has sand available on a first-come, first-served basis at the following locations:

• The corner of Leisure Street and Citrus Drive in Navarre
• Tiger Point Park in Gulf Breeze (1370 Tiger Park Lane)
• Pace Fire-Rescue in Pace (4773 Pace Patriot Boulevard)
• The corner of Pine Forest Road and Carroll Road in Milton