Monday, October 12, 6 p.m. - Updates Highlighted

Evacuation Orders

The Santa Rosa County evacuation order for Zones A, B and C has been rescinded. While the orders have been rescinded, we are urging residents to use extreme caution when returning to Navarre Beach. Visitors should NOT be going to Navarre Beach at this time.

Curfew

The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office has lifted the curfew from dusk until dawn each day.

Points of Distribution (PODs)

The following POD locations are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day until further notice. MREs, water, ice, and tarps will be available.

• Hickory Hammock Baptist Church, 8531 Hickory Hammock Road in East Milton
• Bray-Hendricks Park in Jay (behind Jay Community Center), 5259 Booker Lane in Jay
• Red Cross will also provide 500 lunches and 500 dinners at the Bray-Hendricks Park in Jay
• The Bray-Hendricks Park in Jay will have shower trailers, restrooms, and laundry services available for the community beginning Tuesday, October 13.
• King Middle School, 5928 Stewart Street in Milton
• Munson Air Strip, Krul Lake Road in Munson
• Red Cross will also provide 500 lunches and 500 dinners at Munson Air Strip in Munson

The following POD locations are expected to open in the south end of Santa Rosa County. Please note that this location may open later than the listed times, and opening is based on delivery of items for distribution. Water, ice, and tarps will be available; these locations will NOT have food at this time.

• Navarre High School (west parking lot), 8600 High School Boulevard in Navarre, is open now until 9 p.m. Beginning Tuesday, October 13, this location will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Tiger Point Community Center, 1370 Tiger Park Lane in Gulf Breeze, is expected to be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13.

Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office will be on-site providing traffic assistance at all POD locations.

More community resources can be found on the Santa Rosa County Community Resources webpage online at santarosa.fl.gov/2026Hurricane. Other resources may be available; the resources on the list have been verified.

Other food and supply distributions from community partners:

• Convoy of Hope, Pace Assembly of God, 3948 Hwy. 90 in Pace - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., providing food, water, tarps, hygiene items, baby diapers, wipes, formula. An oxygen refill station is available at this location from 8 to 10 a.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Oak Park Church of God (at Pace Assembly of God) will also provide drive-through hot meals at 4 p.m.
• Salvation Army will have 200 hot lunches (at 12 p.m.) and 200 hot dinners (5 p.m.) available at each of these two locations:
• 4773 Pace Patriot Blvd. in Pace (Pace Fire Rescue District)
• Holley-Navarre Fire District - Station 45, 8618 Esplanade Street E., in Navarre.
• Red Cross will provide 500 hot lunches (12 p.m.) and 500 hot dinners (5 p.m.) at Bagdad First Assembly of God, 4513 Forsyth Street in Bagdad.
• United Cajun Navy is providing water, MREs and diapers at the Bagdad Community Center, 6860 Pooley Street in Milton.
• The Cajun Navy Relief is providing a hot meal drive-through at 5 p.m. at West Florida Baptist, 5621 Highway 90, in Milton.
• Optimist Park, 6244 Old Bagdad Highway in Milton, has shower trailers, restrooms, and laundry services available for the community anytime.

Pharmacies

Residents can find a list of open pharmacies for medication refills. You can find this information for this County (identified as Santa, FL) and others at Rx Open - Healthcare Ready. 

Navarre Beach Utilities

Water has been restored to Navarre Beach. A precautionary boil water notice is in place for all restored water. This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink. Residents may begin returning to their homes. Visitors should NOT be going to Navarre Beach at this time.

Water Utilities with Boil Water Notice

The following water utility companies have a boil water notice in place for ALL customers:

• City of Milton Water
• Navarre Beach Water
• Pace Water System
• Town of Jay
• Bagdad Garcon Point Water
• Midway Water

Road Closures

Most roads in Santa Rosa County are passable but not completely clear. Do not travel unless necessary. Crews are working as quickly as possible to clear roadways.

Santa Rosa County Offices

• All county offices, including libraries and the animal shelter, will be closed on Tuesday, October 13
• The Central Landfill in Milton is open for regular operations. Credit and debit cards are being accepted.
• Keep household garbage separate. Regular household garbage collection will continue according to schedules established by residential waste service providers. Household trash, including spoiled food, should be placed in regular garbage containers and never mixed with storm debris. Please remove all spoiled food and clean out refrigerators and freezers before disposal. 
• The Jay Transfer Station will open on Tuesday, October 13, for regular operating hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Cash only will be accepted at this time.
• TetraTech, Santa Rosa County's debris monitor, is hiring debris monitors to assist with storm debris removal. Learn more online at https://disasterrecoveryhiring.com.
• The Navarre Beach Boardwalk Workshop, scheduled for Monday, October 19 will be rescheduled. The rescheduled date will be sent out once it's finalized.
• The Board of County Commissioners Committee meeting on Tuesday, October 20 will be a Regular meeting.
• The October 22 Special Rezoning Meeting will be rescheduled to Tuesday, November 10.
• The Building Code Board of Adjustment meeting scheduled for Wednesday, October 14 will be rescheduled to November. The rescheduled date will be sent out once it's finalized.
• The First Judicial Circuit will be closed through Wednesday, October 14. Any domestic violence injunction hearing will be continued to next Wednesday, October 21. Jurors summoned for this week do not need to report.

County Parks

All county parks are closed until further notice due to damage. Residents are asked to not visit the park or allow children to play on damaged equipment and structures.

Santa Rosa District Schools

At the direction of Governor DeSantis and the Florida Department of Education, all school districts in the Florida Panhandle, including Santa Rosa County District Schools, are directed to reopen schools on Wednesday, October 14. Teams from Emergency Management, FPL, EREC, the National Guard, and our district staff are working to make final preparations for this reopening, including the clearing of roads and reconnecting electricity to schools still without power. If there are schools that will not be able to reopen, that information will be communicated by Tuesday, October 13. Flexibility and patience will be necessary from all as we work to get schools to reopen. Visit the school district website for information about closures and openings. https://www.santarosaschools.org/.

Report Property Damage

Residents are asked to report property damage through the Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser's website. Search for your property by either name or street address at https://srcpa.gov/search and use the "Report Damage" button found under the "Owner Information section on your parcel page. If searching by street address, use abbreviations - Dr for Drive, St for Street, Blvd for Boulevard, etc.

Citizen Information Line

The Santa Rosa County Citizen Information Line, 850-983-INFO (4636), is available for questions. Do NOT call 911 to report downed trees or power lines. These calls tie up lines meant for emergency calls.



Debris

As Santa Rosa County continues recovery efforts following Hurricane Isaias, residents are asked to follow storm debris collection guidelines to help ensure a safe and efficient cleanup process. The first pass of debris pickup is anticipated to start on Wednesday, October 14, on publicly maintained roads. Santa Rosa County has an estimated 1.7 million cubic yards of vegetative debris, with about 1.3 million of that being north of I-10.

Residents should place storm-generated debris along the public right-of-way, generally the area between the street and the sidewalk, ditch, utility pole, or easement. Proper placement and separation of debris will help collection crews work safely and efficiently. There is no size restriction. Keep piles consolidated by debris types (vegetative and C&D) and take care not to let any piles spill over into the street.

If you hire a contractor to cut or remove fallen trees, the contractor is responsible for hauling away all debris. Debris from contractor-performed work should not be placed on the right-of-way for county debris pickup.

Residents should follow these guidelines when preparing debris for collection:

• Separate debris by type. Place vegetative debris, such as tree limbs, branches, leaves, and shrubbery, in a separate pile from construction and demolition debris, such as damaged building materials like fencing and sheds. These materials will be collected separately.
• Do not bag storm debris. Only loose debris will be collected. Bagged debris should not be placed along the public right-of-way.
• Keep debris away from utilities and obstructions. Do not place debris near drainage ditches, storm drains, mailboxes, water meters, fire hydrants, low-hanging tree limbs, power lines, transformers, or other utilities. Keep roadways clear for emergency vehicles and other traffic.
• Leave remaining debris for subsequent collection passes. Only storm debris placed along the public right-of-way is currently eligible for collection. If debris is not removed during the initial pass, keep remaining materials properly separated and accessible for subsequent collection.
• Keep household garbage separate. Regular household garbage collection will continue according to schedules established by residential waste service providers. Household trash, including spoiled food, should be placed in regular garbage containers and never mixed with storm debris.

Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies (BRACE)

BRACE is coordinating with national disaster relief organizations, local community partners, and our Long-Term Recovery Groups to connect Escambia and Santa Rosa County residents with much-needed assistance. Through Crisis Cleanup, residents can be connected with volunteer organizations that may be able to assist with:

• Roof tarping
• Tree removal
• Debris cleanup
• Mucking out flooded homes
• Other storm cleanup needs

CALL CRISIS CLEANUP: 1-800-451-1954

Shelter

The Clyde L. Gracey (Milton) Community Center, 5629 Byrom St. in Milton, is open as a shelter until further notice. There are currently no plans by the City of Milton, Santa Rosa County, or the American Red Cross to close the shelter. Updates will be sent if anything changes. No pre-registration is required; however, you must show identification and proof of damage.

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.

Anyone needing transportation assistance to a shelter should call (850) 983-4636.

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.

Florida Department of Health

The Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County (DOH-Santa Rosa) will open only the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) office and the Vital Statistics office in Milton, Florida, with limited operating hours on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. 

• WIC Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. to Noon
• Vital Statistics Office Hours: 8 a.m. to Noon

Hours and services for Thursday and Friday will be shared in a separate update.

For more information, please call DOH-Santa Rosa at 850-983-5200.

Illegal Contractors

Below are a few things to know before working with a contractor:

• Use licensed, insured contractors. Verify licenses at MyFloridaLicense.com and report unlicensed activity to 1-866-532-1440. The Disaster Contractors Network (DCNOnline.org) can help you find repair contractors.
• Florida's price gouging law is in effect during the state of emergency. It covers essential goods and services, including food, ice, water, fuel, lodging, lumber, and repairs. Price increases must reflect your own higher costs or broader market trends. Report gouging to 1-866-966-7226.
• Insurance: photograph damage before cleanup, and keep receipts and records of lost business days. Florida Department of Financial Services Insurance Helpline: 1-877-693-5236. Claims guidance: MyFloridaCFO.com/division/ica/isaias. An in-person Insurance Assistance Hub opened Oct. 12 at the Morgan Sports Center, 4200 Indian Bayou Trail, Destin.
• Report property damage to the Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser: search your property at srcpa.gov/search, then use "Report Damage" on the parcel page.

Generator Safety

• If you are using a home-mounted generator following Hurricane Isaias, keep a clear area of at least 10 feet in diameter around the generator. Keep leaves, debris, and other combustible materials away from the unit, and never store items in or around the generator's operating area.
• Generators produce heat and can pose a fire hazard if flammable materials are too close. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and keep the generator properly maintained.
• Your safety matters. Please take a few minutes to check your generator and the area around it.

Mosquitos

Heavy rain can leave standing water in yards, kayaks, containers, tires, gutters, and other places around our homes. Even small amounts of water can provide mosquitoes with a place to breed. As mosquito activity increases, taking steps to prevent bites and reduce mosquito breeding becomes especially important.

• SPRAY to protect yourself from mosquito bites.
• COVER your skin and containers that hold water.
• DRAIN standing water whenever it is safe to do so.

These simple actions can help reduce mosquitoes around your home and lower the opportunity for mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue to spread.

Santa Rosa County Mosquito Control is expected to resume spraying operations on Wednesday, October 14.

Funding and Free Help for local businesses

• Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan: one-year, zero-interest loans of up to $100,000 (up to $150,000 for agriculture and aquaculture) to bridge the gap until insurance or longer-term funding comes through. For businesses established before the storm with up to 100 employees, physical damage or economic injury from Isaias, and owners with credit scores of 600 or higher. Owners personally guarantee the loan, and it must be repaid. Short-term rentals are not eligible. Apply by Nov. 25, 2026, or until funds run out.
• Apply: FloridaJobs.org/DisasterRecovery/EBL
• Have ready: owner ID (front and back), most recent business and personal tax returns, proof of employees (W-2s, 1099s, or Form 941), and a voided check.
• Questions: 1-833-832-4494 or EmergencyBridgeLoan@Commerce.fl.gov
• Florida SBDC at UWF: free, confidential consulting on recovery planning and financing options. 850-474-2528 | sbdc@uwf.edu
• State Private Sector Hotline: 850-815-4925, daily 7 a.m.-7 p.m., or ESF18@em.myflorida.com. Email that address for details on the state's daily private-sector briefings.
• Facing layoffs or a temporary closure? CareerSource EscaRosa's Rapid Response team can help you and your employees.
• Not available yet: SBA disaster loans; FEMA individual assistance, including Disaster Unemployment Assistance; and IRS or Florida Department of Revenue deadline relief. The current federal declaration covers government response costs only. We'll let you know if any of these open.

Loan Program for Florida Farmers Impacted by Hurricane Isaias

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced that Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers impacted by Hurricane Isaias can now apply for interest-free loans. Eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers can apply for loans of up to $500,000 to restore, repair, or replace essential physical property, including fences, equipment, greenhouses, and other buildings, or to remove debris or restock aquaculture.

Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/mrxubkh7

211 Community Resources & Non-Emergency Assistance

For up-to-date information on non-emergency community resources, evacuation assistance, storm shelter details, and post-storm recovery support, residents can dial 211 or visit 211nwfl.org. Provided by United Way of West Florida, 211 Northwest Florida offers free, confidential, 24/7 support connecting residents to critical services before, during, and after severe weather events.

Following Hurricane Isaias, 211 Northwest Florida is experiencing a high volume of calls from residents seeking recovery assistance and resources. Callers are encouraged to remain in the call queue, as your calls will be answered as soon as a team member becomes available. If prompted to leave a message, please do so, and a team member will return your call as soon as possible.

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www.santarosa.fl.gov