The National Hurricane Center announced that Hurricane Isaias made landfall as a Category 2 storm near Destin, Friday night.

Isaias weakened in the final hours before landfall, slamming into Okaloosa County with 105 mph winds.

Even with the storm now moving out of our area at 19 mph, the all clear has not been given.

It his highly encouraged that residents do not leave their house, as downed trees and powerlines can lead to further issues.

The National Hurricane Center has issued it’s 7 p.m. advisory for Hurricane Isaias. In this update, the storm has been downgraded to a Category 2 storm with winds of 110 mph.

It is currently 45 miles southeast of Pensacola and moving north at 10 mph.

There are no changes in term of local impacts in this advisory.

Hurricane Isaias has slightly weakened but remains a Category 3 hurricane, with winds of 115 mph.

The storm is located 70 miles south of Pensacola and is moving north at 17 mph.

All of the south end bridges (Garcon Point, Three Mile, Bob Sikes, and Navarre Beach Causeway) remain closed due to high winds.

Hurricane Isaias has weakened slightly but is still a major Category 3 hurricane as landfall quickly approaches.

According to the advisory, the storm is located about 90 miles south of Pensacola and is moving north at 17 mph. The storm has sustained winds of 115 mph.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles. Hurricane-force winds will extend inland as far as 100 miles once the storm makes landfall.

Storm surge estimates remained unchanged for coastal Santa Rosa County, with heights reaching anywhere from six to nine feet.

Through the weekend, rainfall amounts will be anywhere from 4 to 8 inches, with as high as 12 inches in local areas. Flash, urban, and river flooding is possible.

The next advisory will come at 7 p.m., with a complete advisory at 10 p.m.

As of 2 p.m., 110 people have checked into the county’s only hurricane shelter at the Milton Community Center.

There is still space for those who need it.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gave a few remarks in the hours leading up to the landfall of Hurricane Isaias in either Santa Rosa or Okaloosa County in the next few hours, urging residents to finish their storm preparations.

“This is really your last chance,” DeSantis said at a press conference in Tallahassee.

Forecasters have growing confidence that landfall will take place in either of the two counties. As of the latest 1 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center, Isaias is a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 120 mph.

He urged residents to keep at least 72 hours of water, nonperishable food, and fuel, and to run generators outside. The state has staged more than 1,400 generators along with gasoline, food, and water across the region, he added.

More than 16,000 lineman and restoration workers are staged to restore power. Due to outages being in a smaller area, DeSantis said it might be the largest per-capita restoration effort in state history.

The Florida Department of Transportation has more than 1,100 workers, 26o pieces of equipment, and more than 100 water pumps ready to respond to the storm.

The Florida National Guard is mobilizing 5,000 members, with vehicles ready to assist recovery efforts.

The National Hurricane Center has issued its 1 p.m. advisory on Hurricane Isaias.

Isaias remains a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 120 mph. The storm is around 145 miles south of Pensacola and moving north-northeast at 16 mph.

Isaias is expected to be at or near major hurricane strength when it makes landfall this evening. Weakening is expected beginning tonight after Isaias makes landfall, and the storm is likely to become post-tropical by late Saturday.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles. A wind gust to 47 mph was recently reported at Dauphin Island, Alabama.

Not much has changed as far as impacts to Santa Rosa County since the last update. The National Hurricane Center will release a full advisory at 4 p.m.

Santa Rosa County officials just concluded a call with the National Weather Service in Mobile, detailing possible effects as we enter the final hours of waiting until Hurricane Isaias makes landfall.

As of the 11:30 a.m. call, Isaias was about 180 miles south of Pensacola with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph, making it a Category 3 hurricane. The storm is moving north-northeast at 16 mph and picking up speed.

The biggest change was that forecasters are saying Isaias will remain a major hurricane until it comes ashore. NWS officials say there is little difference between a high-end Category 2 and a low-end Category 3.

Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties remain in the highest wind threat. Forecasters expect considerable roof damage and damage to mobile homes.

Parts of Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties will have a 90 percent chance of strong tropical-storm-force winds. Those winds were already blowing off Orange Beach, Alabama.

Storm surge is expected to be between 6 and 9 feet from the Alabama-Florida line east toward Navarre and Destin. Breakers of up to 25 feet are forecast along Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.

Rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches are expected, with bands bringing up to 12 inches of rain.

Pace Water District has issued a precautionary Boil Water Notice for customers ahead of landfall. While no water mains have broken, the notice is precautionary.

The notice will remain in effect until tests show no bacteria are in the water system.

County officials tell us that the Milton Community Center currently has 61 people housed at the shelter, with 8 people in the special-needs shelter.

The center has room for 345 people and is still open.

County staff say the shelter is pet-friendly. Residents must bring a carrier with proof of vaccinations and all food and supplies.

Shelters are usually uncomfortable, and meals will not be provided. Residents should take:

• Water, non-perishable snacks
• Change of clothes
• Toiletries
• Blankets, pillows and sleeping bags
• Games and toys for children

Anyone needing transportation assistance should call 850-983-4636

National Hurricane Center releases 10 a.m. update.

As of the 10 a.m. update, Hurricane Isaias is a Category 3 storm with winds of 120 mph. The storm is moving north-northeast at 16 mph and is 195 miles south of Pensacola.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles.

Storm surge is expected to be anywhere from six to nine feet.

Hurricane conditions are expected within the Hurricane Warning this evening into early Saturday, with tropical storm conditions beginning during the next few hours.

Isaias is expected to produce rainfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches across southern Alabama, the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend, and southwest Georgia.

The next intermediate advisory will be at 1 p.m. A full advisory will follow at 4 p.m.

Santa Rosa County officials are turning off the water along Navarre Beach at noon on Friday.

We asked Santa Rosa County officials to provide more details about the Zone C evacuation order.

Per the county: “We cannot force you to leave your home; however, when evacuation orders are given, residents and visitors are strongly encouraged to adhere to evacuation guidelines and immediately travel to a place outside of the evacuation zone.”

Santa Rosa County has issued evacuation orders for Zones A, B, and C. When the storm comes, emergency responders may not be able to get to you due to dangerous conditions.

The Santa Rosa Press Gazette has embedded with the staff at the Santa Rosa County Emergency Operations Center in Milton.

As of 8:30 a.m., the county has issued an evacuation order for all residents in Zone C. According to County Administrator Brad Baker, the National Weather Service in Mobile has told the county to expect a Category 2 storm at landfall, with storm surge anywhere from 6 to 9 feet.

Updates will come as quickly as we get them.

The City of Milton will be closing several streets at 7 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 9 to aid with evacuation efforts along Highway 90 in Milton.

The following roadways will be closed:

• East bound Berryhill Road, from Canal Street to Broad Street.
• North Willing Street, from Caroline Street to Berryhill
• North Elmira Street, from Caroline Street to Berryhill.

Local traffic will still access these streets from Canal Street only.

The National Hurricane Center has released the 4 p.m. advisory for Hurricane Isaias. In the new update, the storm has been upgraded to a Category 2 storm with sustained winds of 100 mph.

Isaias’ center of circulation is 325 miles south of the mouth of the Mississippi River and is moving northeast at 12 mph.

The forecasted track has shifted east slightly, but is to make landfall in Escambia County as of the latest advisory.

Evacuation Orders

An evacuation order, effective at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, has been issued for Zones A and B, low-lying areas and mobile homes in Santa Rosa County. Don’t wait, evacuate! Evacuation only needs to be tens of miles, not hundreds, to be safe.
Know Your Zone! Visit Santa Rosa County’s Know Your Zone for evacuation zone information. Zones A and B are the orange and red ares on the evacuation map and generally include areas on/close to water (Navarre Beach, Blackwater River, Escambia Bay, East Bay, etc.)

Shelter

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.

Key messages

Santa Rosa County Emergency Management has declared a Local State of Emergency, view online here.
Governor Ron DeSantis has issued a State of Emergency with Executive Order 26-202, view online here.
A hurricane warning is in effect for Santa Rosa County and a Storm Surge Warning is in effect for the coastline.
Santa Rosa County is under a Flood Watch from 1 p.m. Friday, October 9 through 1 p.m. Saturday, October 10.
Hurricane Isaias is forecast to continue to strengthen over the next 24-36 hours, possibly approaching major hurricane strength while over the central Gulf. Isaias is forecast to make landfall somewhere along the northern Gulf Coast Friday night into early Saturday morning. While the storm is not expected to make landfall at peak intensity, it is likely that Isaias will still be a significant hurricane when it reaches the coast.
Significant impacts are likely. Impacts include damaging winds, life-threatening storm surge, high surf, rip currents, flash flooding, and tornadoes.
The greatest wind damage risk is along coastal areas. However, given the fast movement of the storm, the potential for strong, damaging winds also extends inland.
There is potential for: Considerable roof damage; mobile homes damaged; many large trees snapped or uprooted along with road signs blown over; some roads impassable due to debris; large areas of power outages.
There is an increasing risk for tornadoes Friday night into early Saturday morning. The greatest risk for tornadoes will exist for areas north and east of where the center of Isaias tracks (within any heavier rain bands). Have multiple ways to receive weather warnings!
There is a potential for flash flooding. Residents should prepare for: Flooding of some structures, especially in typical vulnerable locations; rapid inundation at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas in some places; hazardous driving conditions; water flow over streets and parking lots as storm drains and retention ponds overflow.
The extent of the heavy rain will highly depend on the exact track.
Turn around, don’t drown! Never cross a flooded roadway because you can’t see whether the road has been damaged. 
Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to quickly move to higher ground if warnings are issued.
A high rip current risk is in effect for Navarre Beach through at least Saturday, October 10. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. Always swim near a lifeguard.

Sand

The county’s 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

Residents must provide their own sandbags and shovel. Bags can be purchased at many local hardware stores. For information on how to make and use sandbags, visit the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (www.flash.org). While sandbags can help mitigate to an extent, buying flood insurance is the best protection against flood loss.

Floods are the nation’s most common and costly natural disaster and cause millions of dollars in damage every year. And get it sooner rather than later – flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.

Cancellations

The Library Advisory Board Meeting is cancelled for Thursday, October 8 at 11 a.m. at the Library Administration Center/Family History & Research Center, 6275 Dogwood Drive in Milton.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Amnesty Day at the South Santa Rosa Service Center and Waste Tire Amnesty Day at the Central Landfill in Milton are cancelled for Saturday, October 10.
Santa Rosa County Animal Services has cancelled the Fall Fest Adoption Event originally scheduled for Saturday, October 10.

Santa Rosa County Offices

Santa Rosa County Offices will be closed Friday, October 9.
Santa Rosa County Libraries will close at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, October 8 and remain closed through Saturday, October 10.
Santa Rosa County Animal Shelter will be closed on Saturday, October 10.
All facility reservations for Friday and Saturday have been canceled. Those with reservations on Sunday have been notified that their events may also be canceled pending storm damage assessments.
The Central Landfill in Milton is closed on Saturday, October 10 and is expected to reopen on Monday, October 12.

Navarre Beach Pier

Navarre Beach Pier will be closed Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10.

Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court and Comptroller

The Clerk of Court offices in Santa Rosa County will close at 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 8 and will remain closed Friday, October 9. Normal operations are expected to resume on Monday, October 12.

Santa Rosa County District Schools

Out of an abundance of caution, all schools and district offices will be closed on Thursday, October 8 in addition to Friday, October 9. This includes athletic events, practices, clubs, meetings, and other school-sponsored activities.
All after-school and extracurricular activities scheduled for Thursday, October 8, are canceled.
All district and school-sponsored activities scheduled for Saturday, October 10, are also canceled.
As a reminder, Monday, October 12, is a Planning Day and there is no school for students that day.

Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser

The Property Appraiser’s offices in Santa Rosa County will close at 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 8 and will remain closed Friday, October 9. Normal operations are expected to resume on Monday, October 12.

Santa Rosa County Supervisor of Elections

Supervisor of Elections- The South Service Center Office (Annex) in Gulf Breeze will be closing at 2 p.m. on Thursday Oct. 8. The Main Office in Milton will remain opened until 4:30 p.m. and will be closed on Friday, Oct. 9.

Santa Rosa County Tax Collector

All offices of the Tax Collector will be closed beginning at 1 p.m., Thursday, October 8 and remain closed Friday, October 9. The office will also still be closed on Monday, October 12 for staff training.

Courts of the First Judicial Circuit in Santa Rosa County

In anticipation of inclement weather, the Courts of the First Judicial Circuit in Santa Rosa County will close at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, and will remain closed all day Friday, October 9.

City of Milton

City Offices: All City offices will be closed Friday, October 9.
Community Center: All activities are cancelled beginning at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, October 8.
City Parks: All City parks will close Friday, October 9, and remain closed until further notice.
Sanitation: Friday, October 9, sanitation collections will operate from 7 a.m. to noon. Residents should place their garbage carts curbside early and secure them immediately after collection to prevent them from becoming hazards during the storm.
Utility Billing: Late fees on utility bills will be paused October 8–9, 2026.
Utility Outages: Residents experiencing a City utility outage or service disruption, including water, sewer or natural gas, should report it by calling (850) 983-5420.

City of Gulf Breeze

Normal City operations will close at NOON FRIDAY, or earlier if weather conditions warrant. The City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at City Hall will be fully operational throughout the storm response.

Department of Health – Santa Rosa County

All Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County (DOH-Santa Rosa) offices will be closed on Friday, October 9, 2026, in response to severe weather impacts. Offices will remain closed until further notice.
DOH-Santa Rosa’s midway office will be closed beginning Today, October 8, 2026, and will remain closed until further notice.

Gulf Islands National Seashore

Opal Beach Complex will close for day use October 7 at Noon.

Bridges

Bridges ONLY close when sustained tropical storm force winds are observed by FDOT or law enforcement officials. If one bridge closes, it does not mean all bridges will close.
For state and federal road closures (I-10, Hwy. 87, Hwy. 89, Hwy. 90, Hwy. 98, Hwy. 4, Avalon Blvd.), see www.FL511.com.

Prepare now. Make sure all family members know the plan.

Check your disaster supply kit and replenish necessary items. Remember, be one-week ready! Review your disaster plan and make sure it includes your pets.
Halfway full is halfway there – residents and visitors should keep their gas tanks at least half full during hurricane season to ensure they have enough fuel to evacuate as soon as possible without worrying about long lines at gas stations and to avoid gas shortages before a storm.
Residents should make preparations now ahead of any potential impacts from Tropical Storm Isaias. Residents should have preparations completed by Friday afternoon, October 9.
Have multiple ways of receiving alerts and monitor official sources for information.
Clear clogged rain gutters, downspouts, and storm drains to help with the flow of water during heavy rain during hurricane season.
Limit damage caused by high winds by removing any debris from your yard and trimming your trees, shrubs, etc.
Every home should have a NOAA weather radio, the first line of defense before relying on alerts through a smartphone.
Smartphone weather apps are also an excellent delivery source of severe weather information and other disaster updates – especially in the overnight hours. Santa Rosa County’s alert app – AlertSantaRosa.com – provides updates on emergency incidents (hazardous materials as well as severe weather) in the county at addresses of your choice (work, school, home, etc).
Be sure that you have not disabled your alerts on your phone and that it is fully charged and within reach. If you use the “Do Not Disturb” feature on your phone at night, turn it off so that any emergency calls may come through.

For current weather events, visit www.weather.gov/mob. For information on preparing for disasters, visit www.santarosa.fl.gov/974/Emergency-Management.

City of Milton made several announcements in advance of Hurricane Isaias on Facebook on Thursday:

• The Milton Community Center will open as a pet-friendly emergency shelter at 8 a.m. on Friday. No registration is required.
• Sand is available at the corner of Pine Forest Road and Carroll Road in Milton. Residents must bring their own shovel and bags.
• Sanitation pick-ups will run Friday, Oct. 9, from 7 a.m. to noon.
• All city offices, including the utility building, will close Friday.
• All city parks will be closed Friday until further notice.
• Milton High Homecoming Parade and Bands on the Blackwater are cancelled.

Follow this page for Live updates on the approaching storm.

Santa Rosa County Public Safety Director Tom Lloyd said the county expects local impacts — rain, wind and storm surge — to begin Friday and worsen as the day continues into Saturday morning.

Isaias, as of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, is 500 miles south-southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River and moving east-northeast at 8 mph. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 65 mph.

The National Hurricane Center’s projection is that it will make landfall Friday as a hurricane.

County officials are discussing evacuation notices. If forecasts do pan out, with up to a 7-foot surge and 20 to 25-foot breakers, the county will recommend evacuations for low-lying areas.

A forecast of 25-foot breakers refers to large waves expected to break as they approach shallow water near the coast. It does not mean the storm surge itself will be 25 feet high.

“I would have plans in place now to be able to evacuate if you are concerned about it,” Lloyd said.

He urged residents who decide to leave to go Thursday night rather than wait until Friday morning. Evacuees only need to travel tens of miles away, not hundreds, to avoid the storm’s impact.

The county typically starts with voluntary and “strongly recommended” evacuations for areas that historically flood or are forecast to see dangerous water levels, Lloyd said. He warned that emergency crews may not be able to reach people during the storm.

“We may not be able to get to you until after the storm subsides,” he added.

Lloyd said the county focuses on areas south of Interstate 10, which often sit near sea level and have little to slow the wind. Those areas include Navarre, Navarre Beach, Midway, Garcon Point, Holly and Gulf Breeze, and even shoreline fronting Escambia and Blackwater bays.

Lloyd also warned of flooding, especially as southern Santa Rosa County is still recovering from 22 inches of rain over the past weekend. He urged drivers not to drive through flooded roads.

Residents can look up their evacuation and flood zones using the Know Your Zone map on the Emergency Management section of the county’s website.

The county’s emergency operations center is in a monitoring phase and will activate as the week progresses. Officials are discussing shelter openings, and schools will be closed Oct. 9.

Lloyd said he had not seen anything on lifting tolls for the Garcon Point Bridge as of Wednesday. He said tolls would likely be suspended if an evacuation order is issued. If traffic is a concern, officials will look to make both lanes northbound only.

Residents who are stocking up should buy only what they need.

“We do not want people to panic. But if you do need gas, go get gas. If you need groceries, purchase groceries. But there is no reason to go to the grocery store and wipe out an entire row,” he said.

He also encouraged residents to help neighbors who may need a hand putting up storm shutters or securing loose objects.

Lloyd, who is in his 20th year with the county, cautioned residents against comparing Isaias with past storms such as Ivan, Dennis, Sally or Opal.

“Every storm is different. Every storm has similar hazards, but those hazards present themselves differently in every storm,” he said. “We don’t want you to be fearful. We just want you to be prepared.”

Residents who cannot evacuate on their own because of transportation or other needs can call the county’s Citizen Information Line at 850-983-4636 to be connected with resources.