Hurricane Isaias: Emergency Resources & Disaster Response
United Way of West Florida is working alongside local agencies to help residents across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties prepare, stay safe, and navigate recovery.
Need Help or Local Storm Information? Call 211
Our 211 Helpline operates 24/7 to connect you directly with critical local resources and emergency support.
- Call: Dial 211 from any phone
- Text: Text your ZIP code to 898211
- Online: Visit 211nwfl.org
211 specialists can connect you with:
- Open emergency shelter locations and transportation assistance
- Emergency food, clean drinking water, and supply distribution
- Post-storm disaster relief, utility support, and housing assistance
- Local community partners and funded agencies providing aid
Official County Emergency Management Updates
For mandatory evacuation notices, sandbag location details, shelter announcements, and real-time alerts, monitor official county channels:
Escambia County Emergency Management
- Website: myescambia.com/beready
- Updates: @EscambiaBeReady
Santa Rosa County Emergency Management
- Website: santarosa.fl.gov/emergency
- Updates: @SantaRosaEmergencyManagement
Frequently Asked Questions for Hurricane Isaias as of 12:30 p.m. Oct. 9.
*Please note that information is rapidly changing as we get closer to the arrival of Hurricane Isaias, and it will continue to change after the storm passes. Updated information will be posted as it becomes available. Call or text 211 or visit https://211nwfl.communityos.org/. Follow 211 NWF on facebook for updates as well.
Q: Have evacuations been ordered?
A: Yes, Escambia County has issued an evacuation order for evacuation Zones A and B, effective at noon Thursday, Oct. 8. This area includes Perdido Key, Innerarity Point, Pensacola Beach and other low-lying areas. The evacuation order also includes anyone living in a mobile home or a low-lying area, regardless of your evacuation zone. Please take this notice seriously.
Q: Am I in an evacuation zone?
A: You can visit myescambia.com/knowyourzone and type in your address to check whether you are in Evacuation Zone A, B, C, D, E, or None.
Q: Are shelters open?
A: Yes, two shelters have opened:
• The Pensacola Bay Center, located at 201 E. Gregory St. is open as a general population shelter.
• The Marie K. Young-Wedgewood Community Center is open as a special needs shelter.
Q: Is transportation to the shelters available?
A: Yes. Escambia County Area Transit is providing free transportation to the shelters. Transportation ended at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8 and will resume at 6 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9. ECAT will run service as long as weather conditions allow.
Note: Those transporting pets must ensure pets are in a carrier.
Additional shelter information:
Pensacola Bay Center Shelter Information
• This shelter is pet-friendly (please bring vaccination documents).
• Please note that the Bay Center ice is still up, so the room may be cold.
• Bring a jacket, blanket and pillow.
• Cots will not be provided.
• Due to space limitations, do not bring cots or air mattresses.
• The Red Cross will provide snacks and water only. Bring any additional food needed for you and your family.
Marie K. Young-Wedgewood Community Center Shelter Information
• Anyone staying at this shelter must register in advance through the Special Needs Shelter Registry using this link.
• After registration is completed, you will be contacted by Emergency Management, DOH-Escambia, or both to determine your eligibility and ensure the shelter can meet your individual needs.
• For more information on your local shelter status, please visit FloridaDisaster.org.
• If you are a caregiver, you should accompany the special needs client. Bring enough items to last at least five days for both you and the client.
• If you are eligible for a special needs shelter, your kit should include:
• List of medications and dosage
• A 30-day supply of medications
• Vital medical equipment for those who may be electrically or oxygen dependent
• Backup energy sources for essential medical equipment
• Any special dietary needs or food
• Personal information including photo ID, insurance card, list of emergency contacts, and your primary care provider’s contact information
Q: Is sand available?
A: Yes. Escambia County is offering sand for residents living in flood-prone areas at the following locations:
• Baars Field Athletic Park - 13001 Sorrento Road, Pensacola
• Brent Athletic Park - 4711 N. W St., Pensacola
• Casino Beach - 20 Casino Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach (Sand will be located by the beach ball water tower)
• Don Sutton Park - 2320 Crabtree Church Road, Molino
• Equestrian Center - 7750 Mobile Highway, Pensacola
• Escambia County Road Department - 601 Highway 297-A, Pensacola
• Ferry Pass Middle School - 8355 Yancey Lane, Pensacola (sand will be on the northwest corner of school property on Parazine Street)
• Lexington Terrace Regional Park - 900 S. Old Corry Field Road
• John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Park - 555 E. Nine Mile Road, Pensacola
• Travis M. Nelson Park - 4541 County Road 4, Century
The sand is available on a first-come, first served basis, and locations are open 24 hours a day.
Residents must bring their own sandbags and shovels.
Q: What supplies do I need to be ready for a hurricane?
A: Visit floridadisaster.org or myescambia.com/beready for a complete checklist. Generally, your disaster supply kit should include nonperishable food and water (a 7-day supply for each person), medication, flashlights and batteries, infant and pet care items, and personal documents including insurance cards, copies of social security cards and birth certificates, and medical records, which should be stored in a waterproof container.
Q: When will the bridges close?
A: Road and bridge closures are truly weather dependent. Unfortunately, we cannot predict when or if closures will happen. In the event that standing water makes a road impassable or there are sustained winds (NOT gusts) of 39 mph making a bridge unsafe, the specific location will be announced as soon as possible. Stay tuned to local media outlets, myescambia.com, and the Escambia County Emergency Management Facebook page for updates.
Q: Where can I get tarps?
A: Escambia County does not provide tarps before a storm, but they may be provided after a storm, depending on the level of impact. If points of distribution (POD) sites are established after a storm, they will be announced on myescambia.com and on the Escambia County Emergency Management Facebook page.
Q: Should I evacuate?
A: If you are in evacuation Zone A or B, or you live in a mobile home or a low-lying area, an evacuation order has been issued. If you are not in an evacuation zone, it is up to you to decide what is best for you and your family and determine whether to prepare your home for a hurricane or evacuate to another location.
Q: Should I go to a shelter?
A: It is up to you to determine what is best for you and your family, but please keep in mind that shelters are a last resort. Buildings used for evacuation shelters are normally public schools that are staffed by specially trained American Red Cross volunteers and staff. Shelters are generally crowded and may be very noisy, making it difficult to rest or sleep. If you need to evacuate, your easiest and most comfortable option may be to stay with friends or family who live outside the evacuation zone or in a stronger house.
Q: If I need to evacuate or stay in a shelter, what should I bring with me?
A: Visit MyEscambia.com/BeReady for a list of items you should consider bringing with you and your family when seeking safety at an evacuation shelter. Some items include a change of clothing, toiletries and personal items, blankets or sleeping bags and pillows, identification and any important papers, games, toys or books for children, special items for infants or elderly family members, any special dietary needs and non-perishable foods for snacks, flashlights and plenty of spare batteries, and prescription medications or any over-the-counter medications you normally take.
After a Storm
Q: When will my power be restored?
A: Power restoration will vary depending on your location and level of damage. Residents should visit their power company website/app or contact their power company for updates. To notify Florida Power and Light about a power outage, call 1-800-4OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243) or visit fpl.com and click the “report an outage” icon.
Q: When is my debris getting picked up?
A: Escambia County will work as quickly as possible to begin debris collection service after a storm, but please keep in mind that recovery efforts take time. We ask for the public’s patience as crews work to safely and efficiently collect debris for all Escambia County residents. We will provide updates on myescambia.com and on the Escambia County Emergency Facebook page throughout the process.
As you clean up, please sort debris into the following categories when placing it at the curb for pickup:
• Construction: Furniture, carpet, tile, steel, glass, brick, concrete, asphalt roofing material, pipe, gypsum wallboard, lumber or anything used in the construction, renovation and demolition of a structure.
• Vegetative debris: Tree limbs, leaves, logs, pallets and tree branches.
• White goods: Washers, dryers, refrigerators, ranges, microwaves, water heaters, freezers and small AC units.
• Electronics: TVs, computers, monitors, fax machines, stereos, speakers, etc.
• Household Hazardous Waste: Cleaning supplies, batteries, lawn chemicals, oils, oil-based paints and stains and pesticides.
Commercial Customers: Please contact your contracted waste services provider for disposal services. Commercial waste should not be placed on the right of way.
Q: Where can I get water, tarps, or ice?
A: These items may be provided by the state and distributed at points of distribution, or POD, sites. Any POD sites will be announced at myescambia.com and on the Escambia County Emergency Management Facebook page.