Escambia County Hurricane Isaias Update #3

New Information is Highlighted

Hurricane Isaias has been upgraded to a Category 3 Hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph. Escambia County is preparing for significant impacts 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. Isaias is expected to make landfall this evening, Friday, Oct. 9.<_o3a_p>

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 effective Thursday, Oct. 8 at noon. Those who live in an evacuation zone, mobile home, or low-lying areas who have not evacuated already are urged to do so as soon as possible.

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 is providing free transportation to the shelters until 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9.
• 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 will close at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9 and will reopen Monday, Oct. 12 at 7 a.m.
• The Perdido Landfill will close at 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.

City of Pensacola:

• Mayor D.C. Reeves has signed the emergency declaration for the City of Pensacola this morning.
• The Airport Terminal to close at 10 a.m. today to commercial operations.
• Airport Operations (Runways) will be shut down at 6 p.m. today until damage assessments/repairs/reopening. Expected Return to Operations - TBD Saturday/Sunday.
• City of Pensacola Public Works is in preparation mode, mobilizing equipment and reinspect ponds and stormwater assets.
• 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.

Pensacola State College:

• All PSC locations are closed on Friday, Oct. 9, and 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.