Emergency management has declared a local state of emergency, and Governor Ron DeSantis has issued a state of emergency with Executive Order 26-202.
A hurricane warning is in effect for Santa Rosa County alongside a storm surge warning for the coastline, with a flood watch scheduled from 1 p.m. Friday, October 9, through 1 p.m. Saturday, October 10. Hurricane Isaias is forecast to strengthen over the next 24 to 36 hours and make landfall along the northern Gulf Coast Friday night into early Saturday morning as a significant hurricane, bringing threats of damaging winds, life-threatening storm surge, flash flooding, and tornadoes. Officials warn that the storm carries a high risk of roof damage, large tree displacement, and widespread power outages, with the potential for tornadoes increasing Friday night.
Shelters Open for Residents in Evacuation Zones
Evacuation Zones A and B correspond to the orange and red areas on the evacuation map, generally covering locations on or close to water such as Navarre Beach, the Blackwater River, Escambia Bay, and East Bay. Officials noted that evacuation only needs to be tens of miles rather than hundreds to remain safe. For residents choosing to evacuate or lacking a safe home, the Clyde L. Gracey Community Center at 5629 Byrom St. in Milton opens as a pet-friendly shelter at 8 a.m. on Friday, October 8. Pre-registration is not required, though evacuees must supply their own pet carriers, vaccination records, and supplies, as well as personal items, medications, and bedding. Residents are advised that meals are not provided at shelters and they should bring their own rain gear, sleeping bags, and battery-operated radios.
Residents needing transportation assistance to a designated shelter can call 850-983-4636, though rides are only dispatched while winds remain below tropical storm force.
County Closures and Municipal Adjustments
To prepare for the storm, numerous county and municipal services adjusted operations starting Thursday, October 8. Santa Rosa County offices will be closed on Friday, October 9, alongside Florida Department of Health offices in the county. The DOH-Santa Rosa midway office closed beginning October 8 and will remain closed until further notice. Libraries close at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday and remain closed through Saturday, October 10. The Central Landfill in Milton is scheduled to close on Saturday, October 10, and reopen on Monday, October 12, while the Navarre Beach Pier closes Friday and Saturday.
Clerk of Court offices, Property Appraiser offices, and First Judicial Circuit courts close early on Thursday and remain shut on Friday. The Supervisor of Elections office in Milton closes at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, while the South Service Center Annex in Gulf Breeze closes at 2 p.m. Tax Collector offices close at 1 p.m. Thursday and will also remain closed Monday, October 12, for staff training. City offices in Milton and Gulf Breeze also implemented closures, with Milton city parks shutting down Friday until further notice and utility billing pausing late fees through October 9, 2026. In Milton, sanitation collections will run from 7 a.m. to noon on Friday, and residents are asked to secure their carts immediately after pickup.
Storm Causes Cancellations of Local Events
- The Library Advisory Board Meeting scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday is cancelled.
- Household Hazardous Waste Amnesty Day and Waste Tire Amnesty Day on October 10 are cancelled.
- The Fall Fest Adoption Event at the Animal Shelter is cancelled, and the shelter will be closed Saturday.
- All facility reservations for Friday and Saturday are cancelled, with Sunday events pending damage assessments.
- Milton Community Center activities are cancelled starting 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
