SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis was joined by U.S. Senator Ashley Moody, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, and Florida Department of Commerce Secretary Alex Kelly in Milton and Santa Rosa Beach to announce additional recovery efforts following Hurricane Isaias.
In Milton, Governor DeSantis announced that FloridaCommerce activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, making $10 million available in short-term, zero-interest loans to businesses impacted by Hurricane Isaias. Eligible businesses can apply at FloridaJobs.org/DisasterRecovery/EBL .
In Santa Rosa Beach, Governor DeSantis announced the reopening of Grayton Beach State Park following the completion of emergency repairs to a bridge damaged by Hurricane Isaias. At the Governor’s direction, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), in partnership with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and local partners, completed repairs in just 16 hours, allowing the park to reopen later today.
Governor DeSantis also provided updates on Florida’s ongoing response and recovery efforts following Hurricane Isaias.
Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin at approximately 9:30 p.m. EDT on Friday, October 9, as a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph.
Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 26-202 , amending EO 26-212 and declaring a state of emergency for 27 Florida counties.
As of 1 p.m., power has been restored to approximately 200,000 customer accounts. Restoration crews continue working around the clock to restore power as quickly and safely as possible, prioritizing the hardest-hit communities.
State Preparedness and Public Safety
Florida State Guard
The FSG deployed nearly 400 soldiers to support recovery efforts, including damage assessments, debris removal, roadway clearance, distribution operations, and search and rescue missions.
The Crisis Response Battalion has deployed four amphibious rescue teams, 10 cut-and-toss teams, six skid steer teams, and five transportation teams to support debris removal, rescue operations, and the movement of critical supplies.
Seven UAS teams and five aircraft are conducting aerial reconnaissance, damage assessments, search and rescue operations, and monitoring storm impacts.
Eight shallow-water boat teams are supporting maritime search and rescue operations and damage assessments.
FSG is providing aerial reconnaissance and live footage to the State Emergency Operations Center, including assessments of critical infrastructure, beaches, flooding, and debris.
FSG continues coordinating with FHP, FWC, and FDEM to support recovery operations throughout impacted communities.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s (FDLE) Emergency Preparedness Bureau is actively coordinating the state law enforcement response to affected areas. They have coordinated with law enforcement partners for 66 total missions over 8 impacted counties during Hurricane Isias preparation and recovery.
FDLE is coordinating assets to impacted areas from Hurricane Isaias, including equipment and mobile command posts, backup satellite and communications systems, and aviation assets at strategic locations. Portable towers are staged for emergency communications.
FDLE Jacksonville Regional Operation Center (JROC) sent an Incident Management Team (IMT) to Pensacola, FL, to reinforce operations in the Pensacola Region.
FDLE helped coordinate vendor provided resources to support the Florida Sheriff’s Association (FSA) base camp in Santa Rosa County to include bunk houses, restroom trailers, and shower trailers.
FDLE aviation assets were deployment to assist with damage assessments and law enforcement support for impacted areas.
FDLE is coordinating fuel services along Interstate 10 for local law enforcement. First responder refueling locations have been identified along the Interstate 10 corridor.
Florida Department of Military Affairs
The Florida National Guard (FLNG) has approximately 5,000 Soldiers and Airmen activated, staged throughout impact area. Units are conducting search and rescue, route clearance, ground and air reconnaissance, humanitarian assistance (HA), protection of critical infrastructure, flood mitigation missions as well as supporting state and local officials with high-wheeled vehicle support. The FLNG has more than 1,300 tactical high-wheeled vehicles, 10 Zodiac boats, and 50 construction/route clearance vehicles available for this mission. Additionally, FLNG have eight helicopters (one CH-47, one HH-60, and six UH-60) available.
The FLNG has completed 35 missions of 52 missions assigned by the SEOC, including:
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
In addition to the 75 local Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers, 28 additional FWC officers have deployed to areas impacted by Hurricane Isaias with additional specialized equipment including:
Florida Department of Corrections
The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) is currently in storm response and recovery.
FDC has mobilized damage assessments teams in Region I and Region II to survey impacts. At this time, minor damages have been reported at institutions in Region I, and no damage has been reported in Region II. Several FDC institutions impacted by the storm are safely operating on generators. and repopulation is underway.
FDC posts public updates at FDC.MyFlorida.com/weather-updates .
Florida Department of Juvenile Justice
Youth and staff in DJJ facilities are accounted for and safe. DJJ has begun to assess facilities for damages in impacted areas and currently, there is minimal damage to facilities. DJJ has initiated its post-storm recovery efforts which include the continued assessment of facilities for damage and post-storm clean-up.
DJJ continues to coordinate with its staff, providers, and law enforcement partners to ensure juvenile assessment centers and detention screening units remain operational post-storm.
Youth on community supervision with office appointments will be given specific instructions from their juvenile probation officers about office closures.
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) troopers continue supporting recovery operations by clearing roadways, escorting utility crews and critical supplies, managing traffic, and monitoring flooding.
Four FHP cut teams have completed 60 debris removal missions, while 46 Quick Response Force personnel are assisting with roadway clearance and emergency response.
201 troopers are operating across impacted areas and the Central Panhandle, including managing intersections in Milton and maintaining a law enforcement presence along I-10.
FHP UAS teams are conducting damage assessments, monitoring rising floodwaters, and supporting search and rescue operations.
Two high-water rescue vehicles and seven skid steers are staged to support ongoing recovery efforts.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) issued an emergency order waiving certain commercial vehicle requirements, motorist fees, and late renewal penalties to support recovery efforts.
Health and Human Services
Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Outpatient Clinics in Pensacola, Eglin Air Force Base, Panama City, Marianna, and Tallahassee are closed and scheduled to re-open on Tuesday, October 13.
Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities
The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) continues monitoring facilities, providers, and clients in storm-impacted areas, with no unmet needs reported.
APD-operated facilities are supporting 436 residents, with an additional 14 hospitalized. Sunland Center experienced temporary power outages and downed trees but reported no structural damage.
APD is monitoring 145 group homes serving 700 residents across affected counties. One group home in Panama City relocated residents as a precaution, with no unmet needs reported.
APD continues outreach to more than 2,700 clients living in family homes or independent and supported living settings to assess needs and provide assistance.
APD has established regional emergency reporting channels and made emergency resources available to clients, families, and providers.
Florida Department of Health
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) continues supporting medical response and recovery efforts, including coordinating emergency medical services, distributing critical supplies, and addressing public health concerns.
DOH warehouse operations are running 24/7 to distribute critical medical supplies and resources.
DOH is augmenting 911 emergency response capabilities in five counties and mobilizing an AmbuBus to assist with patient transportation.