Escambia County Hurricane Isaias Update, Oct. 12
Escambia County Hurricane Isaias Update #9 - Monday, October 12
Escambia County is continuing recovery efforts following Hurricane Isaias, including damage assessments and debris clearing across roadways.
The Escambia County Emergency Operations Center is now activated at a Level 2 as of 7 a.m. Monday, Oct. 12. Essential personnel will continue to work at the EOC as Escambia County enters long-term recovery from Hurricane Isaias. Even as EOC operations scale back, Escambia County will be actively working on damage assessments, debris collection, and recovery efforts countywide.
Many roads may be hazardous or impassable due to downed power lines and trees throughout Escambia County and the City of Pensacola. If you must drive, use extra caution on the roads and watch for downed trees, power lines and debris. Remember to treat intersections with traffic signal outages as four-way stops. View road closure information at MyEscambia.com/roads or fl511.com.
Escambia County:
The Escambia County evacuation order for Zones A and B has been rescinded as of 6 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 11.
Debris Collection: Escambia County will begin debris collection for storm-generated debris from Hurricane Isaias later this week, with a target start date of Wednesday, Oct. 14. Click here for more information.
Escambia County offices will close Monday, Oct. 12 as Hurricane Isaias recovery continues. Click here for more information.
Escambia County crews are actively working to clear numerous downed trees throughout the county, with a priority on clearing roadways needed to access critical facilities such as hospitals. The public's patience is appreciated as crews work to clear major thoroughfares first before clearing trees on roadways in neighborhoods. Please note that crews will begin with "cut and toss" operations to simply move the trees out of the roadway, and will return later in the recovery process to fully remove the trees and debris.
Residents with damage to property or their street are asked to complete the Citizen Damage Report here.
Escambia County is urging residents using generators to keep them at least 20 feet away from your home and to never operate a generator in an enclosed space. Ensure the generator has at least three to four feet of clear space on either side, and use the correct cord for the wattage and GFCI protection. Read more safety tips here.
The Citizen Information Line is available for residents to call with questions or concerns at 850-471-6600.
Residents should refrain from visiting county parks and athletic fields until damage assessments and initial cleanup can be completed.
Boaters should use extra caution when using public boat ramps and waterways after hurricanes, due to potential floating and submerged debris. Hazards to navigation should be reported to FWC at 888-404-3922.
Feeding Sites
Several feeding sites have been established for Monday, Oct. 12 in Escambia County to provide food to residents following Hurricane Isaias. Click here for more information (NEW LOCATIONS ADDED).
Unlicensed Contractors
It has been reported by Florida Legal Services that there is an uptick in unlicensed contractors. Verify your contractor here. To report unlicensed contractors, call the Unlicensed Activity Hotline at 866-532-1440.
FPL
Florida Power & Light crews are working restoring power following Isaias. We expect 85% of affected customers who can safely accept power to be restored by end of day Monday, Oct. 12, with many back on sooner. We will continue working until every customer is restored.
Emergency Storm Repairs
In the aftermath of a storm, structural damage can leave homeowners and businesses scrambling to get repairs done as soon as possible. The Escambia County Building Services Department Permitting Division can process permit applications through various methods in the event of a natural disaster.
Click here for a breakdown of what you need to do when it comes to permitting after a storm.
For more information on storm recovery, visit myescambia.com.
Storm Cleanup Assistance
Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies (BRACE) is urging Escambia and Santa Rosa county residents affected by Hurricane Isaias to call the Crisis Cleanup hotline at 1-800-451-1954 to request assistance with tree work, debris cleanup, roof tarping, mucking out and gutting storm-damaged homes.
Crisis Cleanup records requests and makes them available to participating relief organizations. Depending on available volunteers and resources, assistance may include:
Cutting and removing fallen trees.
Clearing storm debris.
Installing temporary roof tarps.
Removing mud and water-damaged belongings.
Removing damaged drywall and other materials through mucking and gutting.
Assistance provided through participating volunteer organizations is free. Submitting a request does not guarantee service or a specific response time.
City of Pensacola:
City crews are collaborating with Florida Power and Light on restoration efforts. Thousands of linemen are out in full force to help bring service back to customers.
City departments including Pensacola Police Department, Pensacola Fire Department, and Public Works are continuing to respond to calls to provide life safety and restore operations throughout the city.
City of Pensacola debris removal operations are scheduled to begin early next week. To prepare, residents should:
Separate debris into appropriate piles and place them within the public right-of-way, away from roadways to maintain safe traffic flow.
Do not place debris in bags.
Do not include regular household garbage with storm debris.
Residents should refrain from discarding yard waste and debris in City of Pensacola parks.
As damage assessments continue, residents and visitors are urged to avoid City of Pensacola parks until they have been deemed safe for public use.
CHARGING STATION/INTERNET HOT SPOT: Spectrum will set up a charging station and internet hotspots at Hitzman and Bayview Parks.
SANITATION: If your garbage OR recycling day is Friday or Monday PUT YOUR CAN OUT! Our crews will work as late as needed on Monday to collect Friday and Monday routes. Contents will not be recycled and city crews will NOT collect yard waste/storm debris.
DEBRIS: The City’s storm debris contractor will collect storm debris beginning early this week. Separate vegetative debris from building materials, drywall, lumber, carpet, furniture, plumbing. DO NOT BAG YOUR STORM DEBRIS. Place the debris curbside in the public right-of-way, away from roadways, to keep traffic flowing safely.
AIRPORT: 6,600 people went through Pensacola International Airport when it opened yesterday. Check with your airlines regarding the status of flights.
PORT OF PENSACOLA: Port landside ops remain closed Monday morning for tenant assessments, which are ongoing.
PARKS AND RECREATION: Do not place yard waste and debris in parks. Please stay out of parks until they have been assessed and deemed safe for public use.
Resource Centers: All community centers and programming are canceled for Monday, Oct. 12 to allow time for power, potable water, and network services to be restored.
Gull Point Resource Center and Park sustained major damage during the storm. Alternate program locations to be determined.
Osceola Golf Course also sustained major damage during the storm and will remain closed for play over the next several days. For updates on playing conditions, please check the official Osceola Golf Course Facebook Page.
PENSACOLA 311: Phone lines are down. For nonemergency issues, including road debris and downed trees, please use the portal or chat on the city website or email 311@cityofpensacola.com.
CITY OFFICES: City offices will remain closed on Monday, Oct. 12, with the goal of reopening Tuesday, Oct. 13.
REPORT PROPERTY DAMAGE HERE: City residents should use the Citizen Damage Report toll at myescambia.com to report damage for assessment.
Visit the City of Pensacola website for updates on Hurricane Isaias restoration efforts.
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority:
REMINDER: ECUA’s boil-water notice remains in effect while their crews continue to assess and repair damage to their infrastructure. Use bottled water for drinking and cooking. Read more here.
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority continues making progress restoring water services throughout its service area following the impacts of Hurricane Isaias.
ECUA is pleased to report that water services have been restored to all three local hospitals: Baptist Hospital, Ascension Sacred Heart and HCA Florida West Hospital. Restoring service to these critical health care facilities is an important step in ECUA’s ongoing recovery efforts.
In addition to the current restoration of water services, ECUA is continuously working with road debris clearing crews to gain access to water wells throughout Escambia County to assess damages and begin repairs.
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) has restored water and sewer services to Pensacola Beach following storm-related disruptions. Although services have been restored to Pensacola Beach, residents remain under a Precautionary Boil Water Notice as part of a system-wide effort. The notice will remain in effect until further notice as ECUA continues recovery operations and works to verify water quality throughout the system. Read more here.
ECUA will resume its regular garbage and recycling collection schedule beginning Monday, Oct. 12, following the impacts of Hurricane Isaias. Read more here.
Escambia County Public Schools:
ECPS campuses and offices will remain closed on Tuesday, Oct. 13, as district personnel and contractors are actively making repairs and mitigating damage across our campuses. We are working closely with local utilities to re-establish vital services to our campuses. Transportation officials are working to ensure all bus routes can be run safely.
ECPS will continue to provide updates via Focus Communications, social media, and local media outlets. As always, the safety of our students, their families, our employees and this community remains our top priority.
Florida Department of Health in Escambia County:
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (DOH-Escambia) urges residents to be aware of the health risks following Hurricane Isaias. Residents should take precautionary measures to prevent illness or injury from flood waters, Vibrio vulnificus, carbon monoxide poisoning, mosquito bites, wildlife, and more.
For more information, download the DOH Emergency Preparedness and Recovery guide, or visit escambia.floridahealth.gov.
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (DOH Escambia) Fairfield location will be closed on Monday, October 12, 2026, due to severe weather impacts from Hurricane Isaias. All DOH Escambia locations are expected to reopen on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
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:
Due to extensive power outages and cleanup efforts in our area after Hurricane Isaias, all Pensacola State College locations will remain closed Monday, Oct. 12. The closure includes all classes, events, campus activities, and online classes.
All PSC locations will remain closed on Tuesday, Oct. 13. The College will continue to assess the situation to see when the College can reopen. The closure includes all classes, special events/dedications, campus activities, and online classes. The dates for Fall B session final exams and the start of D session will be rescheduled once the College determines the date to resume classes.
Updates will be shared on all PSC social media platforms, on the College website at PensacolaState.edu, and PSC Alert at PensacolaState.edu/PSCAlert.
University of West Florida:
The University has extended its closure through Tuesday, Oct. 13 as crews work to restore power to campus and clear debris to ensure the safe return of students, faculty and staff. Only essential personnel are permitted at UWF locations at this time. Click here for more information.
Updates will continue to be posted online at myescambia.com. For the latest news and updates on emergencies impacting the community, like Escambia County Emergency Management on Facebook and follow @EscambiaBeReady on Instagram.