Hurricane Warningissued October 9 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile ALWhat this means
Island water shutoff at noon today (10/9/26)Okaloosa Island water and sewer shut off starting at noon today (10/9/26). Store water and fill bathtubs now.Full advisory
8 alerts in effect:
  • Hurricane IsaiasFull advisory
  • Storm Surge WarningWhat this means
  • Tropical Cyclone Local StatementWhat this means
  • Tropical Cyclone Local StatementWhat this means
  • Tropical Cyclone Local StatementWhat this means
  • Flood WatchWhat this means
  • Rip Current StatementWhat this means
  • High Surf WarningWhat this means
Storm center: Hurricane Isaias — the cone, what is in effect, and what to do
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Surge forecast rises to 6 to 9 feet along Okaloosa’s coast

The National Hurricane Center raised its storm surge forecast to 6 to 9 feet from the Alabama line to Grayton Beach, which covers all of Okaloosa’s coast. At 7 a.m. Friday, Hurricane Isaias was 245 miles south of Pensacola with 110 mph winds and on the edge of major hurricane strength, and the National Weather Service in Mobile says hurricane-force winds could reach Destin and Fort Walton Beach by early this afternoon.

Isaias strengthened overnight and is getting bigger. Here is what changed since the 1 a.m. advisory:

  • Storm surge is up. The forecast for the Alabama/Florida line to Grayton Beach is now 6 to 9 feet above ground, up from 5 to 7 feet.

  • Stronger: Sustained winds are 110 mph, up from 105. Central pressure fell to 958 mb from 972, a sign the storm is intensifying. The Hurricane Center expects it to become a major hurricane this morning.

  • Bigger: Tropical-storm-force winds now reach 185 miles from the center, up from 125.

  • Sooner: Tornado risk now begins late this afternoon, rather than this evening. The Hurricane Center says landfall could come as early as this evening.

  • Same: The track has barely moved. The forecast still brings the center ashore within the warning area tonight or early Saturday.

For Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Eglin, NWS Mobile’s local forecast says:

  • Wind: Sustained 65 to 85 mph, with gusts to 105 mph. Tropical storm winds from early this afternoon until early Saturday, and hurricane-force winds from early this afternoon into this evening.

  • Surge: 6 to 9 feet above ground in surge-prone areas, through Saturday morning.

  • Rain: Another 4 to 8 inches, with more in spots. Major flooding is possible.

  • Tornadoes: Several are possible.

NWS Mobile says ordered evacuations should now be complete, and anyone who has left should be in a shelter well away from surge flooding. If you are still in Zone A or Zone B, the window to leave safely is closing. Shelters are open at Davidson Middle School in Crestview (pet-friendly) and Raider Arena in Niceville. Bridges may close once sustained winds reach 40 mph.

For evacuation and shelter questions, call Okaloosa County Emergency Management at 850-651-7150.

The next full advisory is at 10 a.m. Follow the storm on our Isaias storm center, and read the full NHC advisory here.

Written and reported by Emerald Coast Connected.