Evacuations Lift as Feeding and Cleaning Operation Begins

Following the landfall of Hurricane Isaias on Friday, October 9, 2026, Escambia County leadership held a comprehensive briefing to outline the road to recovery for local residents. Officials confirmed that evacuation notices for Zones A and B were officially lifted as of 6:00 a.m., allowing residents to return home, though county offices will remain closed on Monday before resuming normal operations on Tuesday.

(Photo Credit: Pepper, Olive Road)

Emergency officials, utility executives, and law enforcement leaders emphasized that while critical infrastructure is rapidly coming back online, safety and patience remain paramount.

(Photo Credit: Pepper, Olive Road) Power restoration continues at a steady pace across the region. JT Young of Florida Power & Light reported that over 55,000 Escambia County customers have already had their electricity restored, with the utility aiming for 95% total restoration by the end of the day Monday.

However, public safety officials warned that the return of power brings heightened fire risks. Fire officials and Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore urged residents to check their stoves and unplug large appliances to prevent structure fires when power surges back. Fire Chief Craig also reminded residents utilizing backup power to keep generators at least 20 feet away from any structure, allow them to cool for 20 minutes before refueling, and ensure an operational carbon monoxide alarm is installed inside the home.

(Photo Credit: Pepper)

On the water supply front, ECUA Chair Kevin Stevens addressed the ongoing precautionary boil water notice, explaining that water testing is actively underway across the distribution system. Officials anticipate lifting the boil water notice by Tuesday for most mainland areas, while Pensacola Beach is expected to follow on Wednesday. Meanwhile, transportation and municipal services are reopening.

(Photo Credit Escambia County YouTube, Kevin Stephens)

Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves announced that Pensacola International Airport is fully operational, city garbage pickup and debris removal schedules are established, and a public Wi-Fi and device-charging station is available at 1000 College Boulevard.

(Photo Credit Escambia County YouTube, Mayor Reeves)

Drivers are reminded by Police Chief Winstrom and County Director Gilmore to treat all dark or malfunctioning traffic signals as four-way stops to prevent accidents during ongoing rolling roadway closures. To maintain order and protect neighborhoods during cleanup efforts, Sheriff Chip Simmons announced heavy patrol deployments operating on 12-hour rotations. While no curfew is currently in effect, law enforcement emphasized a zero-tolerance policy, warning that any instances of looting or theft will result in immediate arrest. Substantial community support resources are active throughout Escambia County to assist families facing storm damage and spoiled groceries. Emergency Management Director Travis Tompkins detailed consolidated Points of Distribution (PODs) for essential supplies, noting that county POD operations have consolidated into a primary site at the Brownsville Community Center at 3200 W. DeSoto Street in Pensacola, offering shelf-stable food, bottled water, and recovery materials starting Monday morning at 10 A.M.

(Photo Credit Escambia County FB)

Residents seeking help with tree removal or property cleanup can contact Crisis Cleanup at 1-800-451-1954 or Samaritan’s Purse at 833-747-1234. Mass feeding operations will also be widely available across Escambia County on Monday, October 12. The Salvation Army will provide boxed lunches at noon and hot dinners at 5:30 p.m. at the Carver Park Resource Center in Cantonment, the Century Community Shelter, and the Marie K. Young - Wedgewood Community Center.

(Photo Credit: Pepper, Transformation Church, Mercy Chefs line)

Operation Blessing will serve a hot lunch at noon alongside Salvation Army's evening meal at Brownsville Church (3100 W. De Soto St.). Mercy Chefs will serve hot, chef-prepared meals from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Transformation Church (6800 Mobile Hwy), Harvest Christian Center in Cantonment, Central Chapel Worship Center, and Jubilee Church.

(Photo Credit Escambia County FB)

Full-scale debris removal across Escambia County is scheduled to begin on Wednesday. Residents are asked to have all vegetative debris, construction materials, and household storm waste sorted separately along the curb by Wednesday morning, taking care not to block roadways or drainage ditches as recovery operations move into high gear.

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