What is happening in Okaloosa County and along the Emerald Coast. Every story is briefed in our own words, with links to everyone who reported it.
Hurricane Isaias approached Destin, prompting fishing captains and local businesses to prepare for potential damage. The storm subsequently caused destruction along Calhoun Avenue and at Destin Marina, with cleanup efforts underway days after impact.
Sylvester Echols, April Rencich and Louis Rodriquez are running for the Crestview City Council seat representing Precinct 2, the district bounded by James Lee Boulevard to the north and Interstate 10 to the south. The election is among three council races on this year's ballot.
Hurricane Isaias struck Destin, causing damage to the marina and properties along Calhoun Avenue. Fishing captains faced operational disruptions as the storm approached the coastal community.
Eglin Air Force Base commander expanded a limited evacuation order Thursday to include additional zones in Walton and Escambia counties ahead of Hurricane Isaias. The order affects service members, Department of War employees and their dependents residing in the designated evacuation zones, with travel reimbursement available under military regulations.
Santa Rosa County Emergency Management issued an evacuation order Thursday for Zones A and B, including Navarre Beach and other low-lying coastal areas, as Hurricane Isaias approaches landfall expected Friday night. Businesses including the Navarre Beach Pier and multiple restaurants are closing through the weekend, though some residents are choosing to remain and prepare to shelter in place.
Destin residents and businesses prepared for Hurricane Isaias on October 8, with charter boats departing the harbor and waterfront establishments like AJ's Seafood and Oyster Bar boarding up windows. Despite storm warnings, beachgoers and anglers remained active through the morning, with the Destin Fishing Rodeo continuing operations as the hurricane approached.
Direct from the source
The Emerald Coast Science Center will operate daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on November 23, 24, 25, and 27, offering hands-on workshops, animal encounters, and interactive exhibits for $15 per person. The facility will be closed November 26 for Thanksgiving, with daily activities ranging from slime-making and robotics challenges to planetarium shows and live animal demonstrations.
Baker Recreation and Equestrian Center is taking horses from Okaloosa County residents at no charge through Sunday. They are accepted 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today, and you need to call ahead.
Direct from the source
The Town of Cinco Bayou postponed its special council meeting, regular council meeting and public hearings scheduled for October 8 due to a state of emergency and mandatory evacuation order related to Hurricane Isaias. Okaloosa County also suspended waste management services and closed transfer stations for Friday and Saturday as the storm approaches.
Direct from the source
Okaloosa County has closed schools through Friday, county offices and courthouses on Friday, and Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport from 9 tonight. Garbage collection stops Friday and Saturday.
Direct from the source
Okaloosa County has ordered a mandatory evacuation of Zones A and B, effective at noon today. Two shelters open at 6 p.m. — one of them pet-friendly — and sand is still available at two locations, though the county says the south pile is going fast.
Crestview's football team used its scheduled bye week to rest and refine fundamentals after a seven-game stretch, though Hurricane Isaias shortened the preparation period. The team still managed to address weaknesses during the interrupted week.
Direct from the source
Okaloosa County issued a mandatory evacuation order for Zones A and B in Destin effective at noon Thursday, with officials prepared to expand the directive if conditions warrant. Residents can determine their evacuation zone through an online mapping tool.
A 46-year-old Fort Walton Beach resident admitted to conspiring to distribute powder and crack cocaine throughout Okaloosa County between May 2024 and September 2025. Law enforcement recovered more than 660 grams of cocaine and 50 grams of crack cocaine during the investigation, and she faces sentencing December 30th with a mandatory minimum of five years in prison.
The Navarre High School volleyball team will host the District 1-6A championship next Thursday after securing the top seed with an 11-12 record. The Raiders will face the winner of a matchup between Pace and Crestview in their bid for the program's first district crown.
State officials activated 5,800 National Guard and State Guard members across 25 counties as Tropical Storm Isaias approaches the Gulf Coast, with forecasts predicting potential Category 3 strength and 3 to 10 inches of rainfall by the weekend. Governor DeSantis declared a state of emergency as saturated ground and swollen rivers heighten flood risks in the region.
Direct from the source
Fort Walton Beach will shut down all municipal offices and recreational facilities starting Thursday afternoon ahead of Tropical Storm Isaias, with closures extending through the weekend. The city canceled Friday's Concerts at The Landing and all park activities, though residential trash collection and emergency services will continue as conditions permit.
All DOH-Okaloosa facilities will shut down Thursday and Friday due to severe weather threats, officials announced Wednesday. Residents needing emergency assistance can contact the State Assistance Information Line at 800-342-3557, while medical emergencies should be directed to 911.
The 1st Special Operations Wing commander directed roughly 1,000 residents of privatized military housing and FAMCamp to evacuate by 5 p.m. Oct. 8 due to projected flooding of a wastewater utility lift station that would cut off water and sewage services. The evacuation is not driven by structural safety concerns and does not indicate a broader installation evacuation.
Santa Rosa County officials are recommending that residents in coastal and low-lying areas prepare to evacuate as Tropical Storm Isaias approaches, with impacts expected to begin Friday. The storm is forecast to bring up to 7 feet of storm surge, 20 to 25-foot breakers, and heavy rain to areas south of Interstate 10, including Navarre, Navarre Beach and Gulf Breeze.
Courts, schools, parks and businesses across Florida's Panhandle are closing Thursday and Friday as Hurricane Isaias approaches the region. The closures span Bay, Okaloosa, Walton and other counties, with officials warning of potential impacts from the storm.
Direct from the source
The Northwest Florida Water Management District has temporarily shut down all campsites and recreation areas, including springs, due to anticipated impacts from a tropical storm. Updates on reopening will be posted on the District's Recreation Site Closures page.
Hurricane Isaias forced the postponement of every area high school football game scheduled for this week in Santa Rosa County. Teams had attempted to move games to Thursday to avoid the storm, but county officials banned all after-school activities through Saturday.
Direct from the source
Niceville's City Council voted to declare a state of emergency ahead of Tropical Storm Isaias, positioning the city for federal disaster reimbursement as forecasters predict four to six additional inches of rain, five- to seven-foot storm surge and potential tornadoes. Okaloosa County Schools canceled classes Thursday and Friday and rescheduled football games to Monday as the storm approaches.
Direct from the source
The Destin Chamber of Commerce will hold its Business After Hours event on October 22, with two or more political candidates expected to attend the gathering scheduled from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The event provides an opportunity for candidates to meet with local business leaders.
Tropical Storm Isaias is expected to reach Okaloosa County by midday Wednesday with winds potentially strengthening to hurricane force, along with storm surge of 5 to 7 feet and 4 to 10 inches of rain. Okaloosa County schools will close Wednesday and Thursday, and the regional airport will shut down Wednesday evening.
The airport will shut down all operations at 9 p.m. Thursday and remain closed until conditions improve. Passengers are advised to contact their airlines for updated flight information.
Public school districts in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties will shut down Friday, October 9, citing severe weather forecasts for heavy rain and dangerous winds from Tropical Storm Isaias. Students will return Tuesday after Columbus Day, while all afterschool activities and weekend events have been canceled.
School districts across Florida's Panhandle are shutting down Thursday and Friday in preparation for Tropical Storm Isaias, which is expected to strengthen into a hurricane. Washington County is opening two emergency shelters at Roulhac Middle School and Washington Academy of Varying Exceptionalities, with Okaloosa County prepared to activate shelters as needed.
Direct from the source
The Fort Walton Beach Recreation Center will host its Fall Arts and Crafts Fair on Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring handmade items including candles, ceramics, jewelry and woodcrafts. Vendors interested in participating can register for $30 table fees by contacting the city by Thursday, Oct. 23.
Direct from the source
The National Hurricane Center issued a Hurricane Watch for the northern Gulf Coast, prompting Fort Walton Beach to enforce an ordinance prohibiting residents, contractors and businesses from cutting or trimming trees without authorization from the Solid Waste Division. Violations can result in citations.
Okaloosa County officials announced that bridges may close when sustained winds reach 40 miles per hour, with Florida Highway Patrol and local law enforcement making the final determination. The county issued the guidance to help drivers understand when severe weather could restrict bridge access.
Tropical Storm Isaias is forecast to intensify into a hurricane by Thursday and make landfall along the northern Gulf Coast on Friday, with the National Hurricane Center issuing watches from Mississippi to Florida's Gulf Coast. The system could bring life-threatening storm surge of five to seven feet in some areas, damaging winds and three to ten inches of rainfall across the region.
David Chaves, a fifth-grade teacher at Holley-Navarre Intermediate School, has been named the school's teacher of the year after 23 years at the institution. Chaves previously received the same honor in 2018.
A traffic collision shut down Highway 20 in Freeport on Wednesday morning, with the Walton County Sheriff's Office responding to the scene. Drivers should prepare for extended delays in the area.
All high school football games across Escambia County, Florida, shifted to Thursday night this week due to approaching tropical weather. The schedule change affects eight Florida matchups and at least one Alabama school game.
A Destin charter boat captain is deciding where to relocate his vessel as a storm approaches the area. The decision involves assessing available shelter locations to protect the boat during the weather event.
Headlines and briefings are written by Emerald Coast Connected. Full articles remain with the publishers linked under each story.