Official updates
Posts from county, city, utility, police, and fire agencies in the last week, plus local news coverage, checked every 30 minutes. Each one links to the original.
Latest official updates
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CHELCO Hurricane Isaias restoration update: fewer than 2,000 without power
As of 4:45 PM Tuesday, Oct. 13, fewer than 2,000 CHELCO members remain without power after Hurricane Isaias. Restoration is nearing completion. Members can report outages or check the outage map on CHELCO's website.
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Insurance Assistance Hubs open to help file storm damage claims
The Department of Financial Services is hosting Insurance Assistance Hubs where representatives from major insurance carriers and the Division of Consumer Services help Floridians file storm damage claims. If you cannot visit a hub, call 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236). Specific hub locations and dates were not listed in the update.
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Okaloosa curbside debris removal begins Oct 14; gated communities need ROE
Curbside debris removal starts Wednesday, Oct 14, 2026, for unincorporated Okaloosa County residents. Gated or security-access subdivisions will only be serviced if the HOA submits a signed Right of Entry Agreement (electronic signatures accepted) to mkipp@myokaloosa.com.
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Destin hurricane debris collection begins Thursday, October 15
Citywide debris collection in Destin starts Thursday, October 15, with the initial pass taking about 17 days and a second pass to follow. Residents should separate vegetative debris from construction and demolition debris and place it curbside without blocking roads, sidewalks, or drainage. Questions can go to Destin Public Works at 850-837-6869.
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Crestview: debris pickup, MARC, PODs, and disaster relief help
DRC Emergency Services begins curbside yard debris pickup in Crestview on Wednesday, October 14 at 7 a.m.; keep debris under 10 feet, cut longer pieces, and pile it 4 feet from the roadway away from hydrants and utility boxes. A Multi-Agency Resource Center opens at the Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Drive, October 14 from 1 to 7 pm and daily 7 am to 7 pm October 15 through 24. North Okaloosa PODs at Baker Park and Garden City Park offer tarps, water, and MREs from 1 to 3:30 pm Monday, October 12.
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DOH-Okaloosa urges public to avoid beaches and pools after Hurricane Isaias
The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County advises residents and visitors not to swim at beaches or in pools due to waterborne illness risk after Hurricane Isaias. Coastal waters should be avoided until bacterial testing shows acceptable levels; results will be posted at FloridaHealth.gov/HealthyBeaches. Public pools must be approved for opening by DOH-Okaloosa, and debris on beaches should not be handled without proper safety equipment.
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Multi-Agency Resource Centers open Oct 14-24 for Hurricane Isaias recovery
Two Multi-Agency Resource Centers open Oct 14-24, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily (Oct 14 opens at 1 p.m.) for individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits seeking storm recovery assistance. Locations: Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center, 1250 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, and Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Dr, Crestview. Bring ID, proof of residence, insurance information, and other documentation of disaster-related losses.
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Fort Walton Beach post-storm update: services reopening, debris pickup underway
City of Fort Walton Beach facilities are reopening as of Monday, Oct. 12, though some parks, the Preston Hood Athletic Complex, and the golf courses remain closed. Trash and recycling resumed normal schedules Oct. 12, and DRC Emergency Services will collect curbside yard waste and storm debris for the next 2-3 weeks; pile items loosely, unbagged, in separate vegetative and construction piles. No water shutoffs or late fees during recovery; customer service is at the Recreation Center, 132 Jet Drive NW.
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Insurance Assistance Hubs open in Pensacola and Destin for Isaias claims
The Florida Department of Financial Services has opened Insurance Assistance Hubs where policyholders can meet directly with insurance company representatives about storm-related claims. The Pensacola hub at UWF (11000 University Parkway, Parking Lot B) runs October 13 and following days, 9 AM to 4 PM. The Destin hub at Morgan Sports Complex (4200 Indian Bayou Trail) opened October 12 and following days, 9 AM to 4 PM.
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Destin: 60-day permit exemption for storm-damaged fence and dock repairs
Effective October 13, 2026, the City of Destin allows storm-damaged fence and dock repairs without a building permit for 60 days. Repairs must be board-for-board replacement in the same location, with no relocation or expansion, and the original structure must have been built under a valid permit. Questions can be directed to the Building Division at (850) 654-1119.
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FWB Police arrest man impersonating a police officer
On October 12, 2026, Fort Walton Beach Police arrested Nicholas O'Bryant, 39, for falsely impersonating a law enforcement officer while working armed security at The Home Depot. He was booked into the Okaloosa County Jail. Residents unsure whether someone is a legitimate officer can call FWB Police at (850) 833-9546 to verify.
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Destin: Report Hurricane Isaias Damage; Avoid Contractor and Insurance Scams
The City of Destin urges residents and property owners to report Hurricane Isaias damage through Okaloosa County's online storm damage reporting portal, including photos when possible. Residents are also warned to verify contractors before repairs and report suspected fraud. Contractor licenses can be checked at www.MyFloridaLicense.com or by calling the City's Community Development Office at 850-654-1119 (Option 2).
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Free hurricane cleanup buckets Oct 13 at Lowe's in Ensley, Gulf Breeze, Milton
Lowe's is giving away free hurricane cleanup buckets starting at 10 AM on October 13 at its Ensley, Gulf Breeze, and Milton locations. Each bucket includes sponges, flashlights, bottled water, trash bags, goggles, and hand sanitizer. A total of 240 buckets will be distributed.
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USPS suspends mail delivery and retail operations in Northwest Florida ZIP codes
USPS has temporarily suspended mail delivery and retail operations across 60 ZIP codes in Northwest Florida due to Hurricane Isaias, effective immediately. Affected areas include Pensacola, Cantonment, Molino, Milton, Pace, Gulf Breeze, Navarre, and surrounding communities in Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties. There are no alternate sites available; check the affected ZIP code list to see if your area is impacted.
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Mary Esther: 11 of 13 Lift Stations Back on Power, Keep Conserving Water
As of 5 p.m. Monday, 11 of 13 sewer lift stations are back on FPL power and vacuum trucks are pumping down stations in the Oleander and Sleepy Hollow area. Water is safe to use with no boil water notice, but keep conserving until the City announces normal use can resume. Curbside debris pickup is expected to begin mid-week, loose and unbagged, and the Library reopens Tuesday, October 13 at 2 p.m.
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From local news
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Okaloosa health officials advise to avoid beaches and pools until water testing is safe
The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County urges residents to avoid beaches, coastal waters, and pools after Hurricane Isaias due to increased bacteria and water-borne illness risk. Swimming is not recommended until bacterial testing shows acceptable levels; testing begins as soon as conditions are safe. Public pools must be approved for opening by DOH-Okaloosa and be fully functional before use.
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United Way of West Florida activates recovery fund following Hurricane Isaias
United Way of West Florida has activated the UWWF Recovery Fund to support Hurricane Isaias relief in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, distributing donations through local organizations. Donations can be made online, with separate links for Escambia/Santa Rosa and Okaloosa/Walton counties.
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Hancock Whitney contributes $100K to Hurricane Isaias recovery via United Way
Hancock Whitney is donating $100,000 to Hurricane Isaias recovery, split equally between United Way of West Florida and United Way Emerald Coast. The funds will help connect individuals and families with essential resources and assistance as communities rebuild. Announced October 13, 2026.
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Salvation Army adds more meal and water service locations in Pensacola area
The Salvation Army is serving lunch and dinner plus water at several locations in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, including Wedgewood Community Center, Carver Park in Cantonment, Century Community Shelter, Milton, and Pace. Lunch only is served at the Downtown Library in Pensacola and dinner only at the Brownsville Community Center parking lot. Updates are posted at SalArmyEDS.org.
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T-Mobile to provide free Wi-Fi, device charging to Northwest Florida residents
T-Mobile is offering free Wi-Fi and device charging to all Northwest Florida residents after Hurricane Isaias, regardless of their phone provider. Locations are available in Pensacola and Navarre. Check T-Mobile's news release for exact site addresses.
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Pickup truck hits man standing in front of Hurricane Relief staging area in Okaloosa
Around 6:15 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, a pickup truck struck a man standing in the roadway in front of the Hurricane Relief staging area entrance on State Road 4 in Okaloosa County. FHP says poor lighting at the staging area entrance kept the driver from seeing him; the man was seriously injured. Residents traveling to the staging area should use caution in the poorly lit area.
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Okaloosa County schools to reopen Thursday following Hurricane Isaias
Okaloosa County schools will remain closed through Wednesday and reopen Thursday, October 15, 2026, giving families more time to recover from power and water outages and storm damage. Absences and tardies for students who evacuated or commute from impacted areas will be excused; follow your school's procedures to report them. Schools will communicate updates on extracurricular activities and after-school programs directly with families.
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FPL says 85% of customers restored after Hurricane Isaias
As of Monday at 10 p.m., FPL has restored power to more than 85% of customers impacted by Hurricane Isaias, over 380,000 outages, and expects restoration essentially complete in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties by end of day Tuesday, Oct. 13. Customers without power can visit one of more than 10 FPL customer outage relief stations for ice, water, and answers. Homes with damage may need a licensed electrician to safely accept power, and eligible customers can apply for FPL's Care to Share financial assistance at FPL.com/assistance.
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Mississippi man charged with impersonating an officer in Fort Walton Beach
Fort Walton Beach police arrested 39-year-old Nicholas O'Bryant of Lucedale, Mississippi, on Monday after an officer at The Home Depot saw him in a generic law enforcement uniform carrying a firearm. Police say he was not a sworn officer despite having credentials. He was booked into the Okaloosa County Jail; residents should verify officer credentials if approached.
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