Escambia County Hurricane Isaias Update #5

Friday, Oct. 9 - 9 p.m. update.

New Information is Highlighted

Hurricane Isaias made landfall at approximately 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 near Destin, Florida as a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 105 mph. Significant impacts are expected as the storm passes through Escambia County, including hurricane-force winds, life-threatening storm surge and flash flooding, heavy rainfall, and tornadoes.

Residents are encouraged to monitor the forecast and have multiple ways to receive weather updates.

Conditions will worsen across coastal areas, especially across the western Florida Panhandle now through tonight and early morning. Storm surge, flash flood risk, tornado risk and dangerous high winds will increase tonight. At this time, residents are urged to stay off the roadways and shelter in place.

For the latest weather updates on Hurricane Isaias, visit the U.S. National Weather Service of Mobile or National Hurricane Center websites.

Escambia County declared a Local State of Emergency for Hurricane Isaias at a Special Emergency Board of County Commissioners Meeting Thursday, Oct. 8.

Evacuation orders have been issued for Zone A and Zone B.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 25 Florida counties in preparation for Isaias, including Escambia County. The Governor and the Florida State Emergency Response Team are taking precautions now to ensure Florida remains prepared for potential impacts.

Escambia County:

• Escambia County Emergency Management staff are actively monitoring 24/7 throughout this event.
• The Emergency Operations Center is currently fully staffed and activated at a Level 1.
• Sand has been made available for the public at multiple locations throughout the county. Click here for details.
• County staff are actively monitoring problem creeks and rivers.
• Escambia County Public Works crews have inspected all county stormwater ponds and have drained water levels where necessary. Crews will continue to monitor stormwater pond levels throughout the week to ensure outfalls are clear.
• Hurricane Isaias shelter locations are now open. ECAT has stopped transportation to the shelters due to severe weather conditions from Hurricane Isaias.
• Escambia County offices are closed Friday, Oct. 9.
• All Parks and Recreation games or events originally scheduled for Friday, Oct. 9 through Sunday, Oct. 11 hosted at Escambia County athletic complexes and parks have been postponed. Games and activities will resume next week unless otherwise announced.
• At this time, the Escambia County Equestrian Center is not expected to open as an equine shelter as the county is in the path of the storm. Evacuees seeking an equine shelter should contact facilities outside of the storm's path.
• The Citizen Information Line is available 24 hours a day for residents to call with questions or concerns at 850-471-6600
• Pensacola Beach Lifeguards will not be on duty past 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9.
• The Citizens Convenience Center at the Perdido Landfill is closed as of 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9. The center will reopen Monday, Oct. 12 at 7 a.m.
• The Perdido Landfill is closed as of 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9 and will reopen to commercial traffic at 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 12.
• The Palafox Transfer Station is closed and will reopen Monday, Oct. 12 at noon.

Road Closures:

• Gulf Islands National Seashore has closed Highway 399 east and west bound on Santa Rosa Island effective Friday, Oct. 9 at 8 a.m.
• University of West Florida has closed Campus Drive as of 1:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9.
• West Jackson Street west of Gulf Street
• Detroit Avenue west of Untreiner Avenue
• Heaton Road at John Deere Lane
• Juniper Avenue south of Devane Street
• Kingsfield Road at Pauline Street and the railroad tracks
• Highway 98 at Perdido Bay and Perdido Manor Drive
• Stefani Road
• The following bridges are now closed:
  • Pensacola Bay Bridge
  • Theo Baars Bridge
  • Bob Sikes Bridge
• View more road closure information at MyEscambia.com/roads or fl511.com.

City of Pensacola:

• Mayor D.C. Reeves has signed the emergency declaration for the City of Pensacola this morning.
• The Airport Terminal is now closed.
• Airport Operations (Runways) have shut down until damage assessments/repairs/reopening. Expected Return to Operations - TBD Saturday/Sunday.
• City of Pensacola residents can contact 311 for nonemergency issues, including road debris, downed trees and flooded streets. Call 311.

Escambia County Public Schools:

• Escambia County schools and district offices are closed on Friday, Oct. 9, due to impending severe weather associated with Hurricane Isaias.

ECUA:

• The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority Customer Service Department is closed Friday, Oct. 9, as a precautionary measure due to the potential impacts of Hurricane Isaias.
• Customers experiencing a utility emergency may also call ECUA's emergency after-hours line at (850) 476-5110.
• As Hurricane Isaias approaches the Gulf Coast and an evacuation order is issued for Pensacola Beach, the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority will temporarily shut down water and sewer services on Pensacola Beach once first responder emergency personnel have evacuated the island. Click here for more information.
• The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority began sanitation collection services early on Friday, Oct. 9 as the community prepares for the potential impacts of Hurricane Isaias. Click here for more information.
• The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority is issuing a systemwide precautionary boil water notice effective immediately following the impacts of Hurricane Isaias. All customers should assume their water is affected. Do not drink tap water. Click here for more information.

Hurricane Isaias Relief:

• BRACE staff is working diligently to manage the ESF-15 Volunteers and Donations support for both Escambia and Santa Rosa County Emergency Management. To report any unmet needs, please call 211 and any needs will be assessed once the storm has passed. To make a donation, please click here.

Pensacola State College:

• All PSC locations are closed Saturday, Oct. 10, due to Hurricane Isaias. This includes all classes, events, campus activities, and online courses.

University of West Florida:

• All classes at the Pensacola campus, Fort Walton Beach campus and online are canceled beginning Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. All UWF locations, including the Pensacola campus, Fort Walton Beach campus and UWF Historic Trust, are closed beginning Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. This includes all classes, events and campus activities.

First Judicial Circuit:

• Due to the anticipated effects of Hurricane Isaias, court closures are scheduled for October 8-9. Click here for more information.

Santa Rosa Island Authority:

• SRIA are closed all day on Friday, Oct. 9.

Pensacola and Perdido Key Visitor Centers:

• Pensacola and Perdido Key Visitor Centers are closed as of noon Thursday, Oct. 8. Calls will be rolled and the goal is to be back open Sunday pending damage.

Florida Department of Health-Escambia

• All Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (DOH-Escambia) offices are closed until further notice in preparation for severe weather impacts.

Rip Current Information:

• All Escambia County beaches are at a High Risk of rip currents continuing into Saturday, Oct. 10. Life-threatening rip currents are expected during this time, and the surf will be dangerous for all levels of swimmers. For daily flag conditions, visit the Pensacola Beach Lifeguards page on MyEscambia.com or the Pensacola Beach Lifeguards Facebook.

Click here for rip current safety information.

Important Preparedness Information:

With possible flooding forecast for our area, please do not drive into hazardous flood water and remember to Turn Around Don't Drown. Follow these flood safety tips:

• Get to higher ground - Get out of areas subject to flooding.
• Do not drive into water - Do not drive or walk into flooded areas. It only takes 6" of water to knock you off your feet and 2 feet of water to carry away a vehicle.

Follow these tips to prepare for a storm:

• Know Your Zone - Go to MyEscambia.com/knowyourzone to find out which evacuation zone you are in.
• Know Your Home - Is it newly built - possibly rated for a hurricane? Your safest place may be at home rather than a shelter. Stay tuned to MyEscambia.com for any announcements about shelter openings. For information about preparing your home, visit MyEscambia.com/beready.
• Secure Your Home - Secure any lightweight outside furniture, toys or equipment that could become a projectile in high winds.
• Know Your Plan - Have a disaster plan. If necessary, plan ahead to stay with loved ones, friends or stay at a hotel away from the area.
• Build Your Kit - Residents should have at least seven days' worth of food, water, and basic supplies on hand for every member of your household, including pets. Click here for a list of what to include in your kit.
• Stay Informed - Pay extra attention to local weather reports until the storm has moved through the area. Be sure to keep your weather radio on and your cell phone charged to ensure you can receive weather alerts.

Residents are encouraged to remain weather aware and continue monitoring the forecast for updates. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive warnings and know your safe place ahead of time.

For more information, monitor the local media and legitimate online and social media sources like Escambia County Emergency Management and US National Weather Service Mobile.

More information on what to do before, during and after a storm is available online at MyEscambia.com/BeReady. For the latest news and updates on emergencies impacting the community, like Escambia County Emergency Management on Facebook and follow @EscambiaBeReady on Instagram.