Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 26-202 on October 6, 2026, declaring a state of emergency in 25 Florida counties ahead of potential impacts from Tropical Depression Nine. All counties in Florida Health Care Regions 1 and 2 are included:

• Region 1: Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton
• Region 2: Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, Wakulla, and Washington

The system was still Tropical Depression Nine when the executive order was issued but strengthened into Tropical Storm Isaias overnight. As of 4:00 AM CT on October 7, the storm was about 580 miles southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River, with maximum sustained winds near 40 miles per hour. The National Hurricane Center forecasts rapid strengthening and expects Isaias to become a hurricane before approaching the northern Gulf Coast on Friday. Florida Panhandle residents should closely monitor the forecast, as the storm’s track and impacts remain subject to change.

The executive order allows the Florida Division of Emergency Management to stage resources and coordinate the state’s response. Potential threats include damaging winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, tornadoes, flash flooding, and river flooding.

The National Hurricane Center forecasts rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches across the northern Gulf Coast beginning Friday and continuing through the weekend, with localized totals of up to 10 inches possible. Recent rainfall has already saturated soils and elevated water levels across portions of North Florida, increasing the risk of flooding, transportation problems, power outages, and interruptions to essential services.

Providers Should Prepare Now

HCAF encourages home health providers serving these regions to take preparedness steps now:

• Review your agency’s emergency management plan and ensure staff understand their responsibilities.
• Confirm contact information and communication plans for patients, caregivers, employees, vendors, and community partners.
• Prioritize outreach to patients who depend on electricity, oxygen, medical equipment, medications, or uninterrupted care.
• Review evacuation and shelter arrangements, staffing coverage, transportation needs, and plans for maintaining essential services.
• Confirm that staff and patients have adequate emergency supplies and know how to receive agency updates.
• Coordinate with local emergency management officials and monitor official alerts, watches, warnings, and evacuation instructions.
• Prepare for possible disruptions involving electricity, communications, transportation, staffing, and supply deliveries.

Members are encouraged to visit HCAF’s Emergency Preparedness Resources webpage for additional guidance, checklists, and tools to help protect patients and staff and maintain continuity of care. Please sign in to access member resources.

For official emergency information, visit FloridaDisaster.org and follow @FLSERT on X. Additionally, monitor the National Hurricane Center for the latest storm advisories.

Please share this alert with your leadership team, clinical staff, emergency preparedness coordinator, and other team members responsible for continuity of care.