Florida declares state of emergency in 25 counties as Tropical Storm Isaias approaches

Florida has activated emergency preparations for Tropical Storm Isaias and declared a state of emergency in 25 counties as the system moves across the Gulf and is forecast to rapidly intensify over the next two days.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Executive Order 26-202, allowing the state to mobilize resources and accelerate preparations for potential impacts across the Panhandle, Big Bend and North Florida.

“This order will allow the Florida Division of Emergency Management to stage critical preparedness resources and ensure Florida is ready to respond,” DeSantis said in announcing the declaration.

The 25 counties covered by the order are Baker, Bay, Calhoun, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, Walton, Wakulla and Washington.

Florida begins staging resources

The declaration does not constitute a statewide evacuation order, but it gives Florida authorities greater flexibility to position resources ahead of a storm whose track could still change.

The State of Florida said the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) has begun mobilizing equipment and supplies to be strategically staged in Tallahassee and the Santa Rosa area.

Resources include generators, fuel, flood barriers, bottled water, shelf-stable meals, tarps, sandbags and temporary flood-control systems.

State officials also warned that recent rainfall has already saturated soils in parts of Florida, increasing the potential for flash flooding if Isaias brings additional heavy rain.

Isaias could become a hurricane Thursday

According to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Isaias has maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and is moving east-northeast at about 8 mph.

The center of the storm was located approximately 580 miles southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River.

The NHC expects rapid strengthening over the next two days, with Isaias forecast to reach hurricane strength Thursday.

The exact track could still change, and the NHC is urging people along the northern Gulf Coast to closely follow the latest forecasts.

There are currently no coastal watches or warnings in effect, but that could change as Isaias moves farther across the Gulf.

If Isaias reaches hurricane strength, it would become the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season.

Panhandle and Big Bend under close watch

4 AM CDT Wed Oct 7 (Advisory 3) Key Messages for Tropical Storm #Isaias. Latest info: https://t.co/GrztW6mQJV4 AM CDT miércoles 7 de octubre (Aviso 3) Mensajes clave sobre la tormenta tropical #Isaias. Más información: https://t.co/GrztW6mQJV https://t.co/KtZXk4I1OV

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) October 7, 2026

Florida’s preparations reflect the possibility that impacts could extend well beyond the exact location where the center of Isaias eventually crosses the coast.

State officials are warning of possible heavy rainfall, strong winds, coastal flooding and isolated tornadoes across North Florida.

Attention is focused particularly on the Panhandle and Big Bend, where many of the 25 counties covered by the state of emergency are located.

The National Hurricane Center is also advising communities from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle to closely monitor the storm as uncertainty remains over its eventual track.

Major highways will also need to be monitored

For trucking operations, I-10 will be one of the most important corridors to watch. The interstate crosses the Florida Panhandle and provides a critical east-west connection between Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.

There is no basis at this point to anticipate specific highway closures. Any restrictions will depend on Isaias’ final track, rainfall, flooding, winds and decisions by state and local authorities.

Drivers can check FL511 for real-time information on traffic, crashes, closures and road conditions, as well as updates from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

Florida also has an Emergency Shoulder Use (ESU) system that can temporarily open highway shoulders to increase roadway capacity during hurricane evacuations.

However, FDOT states that large trucks, buses and vehicles pulling trailers are not permitted to use the shoulder as a travel lane when ESU is activated.

ESU plans cover portions of major corridors including I-10, I-75, I-95, I-4 and Florida’s Turnpike.

Precautions for truckers

With Florida already under a state of emergency in 25 counties and Isaias’ track still evolving, truckers planning to travel through North Florida or the Gulf Coast over the next several days should:

• Check the latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center before departure and continue monitoring updates while on the road.
• Check FL511 and official 511 systems in neighboring states before entering areas expected to receive heavy rainfall.
• Never drive through flooded roads. Water can conceal pavement damage and may be deeper or moving faster than it appears.
• Use extra caution in crosswinds, particularly when pulling empty or lightly loaded trailers.
• Plan fuel stops and rest breaks in advance. Power outages, evacuation traffic and increased demand can affect fuel availability and truck stops.
• Avoid parking in low-lying or flood-prone areas, especially near the coast, rivers and drainage channels.
• Secure cargo and inspect the truck before entering affected areas, including tires, brakes, lights and windshield wipers.
• Allow additional travel time, even if highways remain open.
• Follow all road closures, detours and instructions from authorities. Do not attempt to bypass a closure or use secondary roads that may also be flooded.

The National Hurricane Center will continue updating Isaias’ projected track and intensity throughout the day.

For carriers operating in Florida and along the Gulf Coast, the emergency declaration allows the state to position resources before conditions deteriorate, while upcoming NHC forecasts should provide a clearer picture of which areas and transportation corridors could face the greatest impacts.

You can also check road conditions on our website.