Florida State of Emergency: 25 Counties Under Order as Isaias Strengthens

Quick answer: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 25 counties as Tropical Storm Isaias develops in the Gulf of Mexico. Executive Order 26-202 is designed to speed state preparations and resource deployment; it is not the same thing as an evacuation order. As of the National Hurricane Center’s 4:00 a.m. CDT advisory on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, Isaias had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and was forecast to strengthen while moving toward the central Gulf Coast. Residents should follow local emergency-management instructions because watches, warnings and evacuation decisions can change as the forecast becomes more certain.

Last verified: October 7, 2026. This page is updated from official Florida and National Hurricane Center information.

Which 25 Florida counties are under the state of emergency?

Executive Order 26-202 covers the following 25 counties:

• Baker
• Bay
• Calhoun
• Columbia
• Dixie
• Escambia
• Franklin
• Gadsden
• Gilchrist
• Gulf
• Hamilton
• Holmes
• Jackson
• Jefferson
• Lafayette
• Leon
• Liberty
• Madison
• Okaloosa
• Santa Rosa
• Suwannee
• Taylor
• Walton
• Wakulla
• Washington

The declaration focuses on North Florida, the Big Bend and Panhandle areas that could be affected by heavy rain, strong winds, coastal flooding or other hazards even if the storm’s eventual center does not cross every county listed.

What does Florida’s state of emergency actually do?

A state of emergency is primarily a government-response tool. It allows Florida agencies to prepare personnel and equipment faster, coordinate resources and support local governments before conditions deteriorate.

According to the governor’s office, Florida has been staging emergency resources that include generators, fuel, flood-protection equipment, drinking water, shelf-stable meals, tarps, sandbags and other response supplies. State emergency officials are also coordinating with county emergency-management offices as the forecast evolves.

For residents, the most important distinction is that the order itself does not mean everyone in the 25 counties must leave home. Evacuation orders, if they become necessary, are issued separately by the appropriate authorities and should be followed based on your exact location and evacuation zone.

Latest Tropical Storm Isaias update

In its National Hurricane Center advisory issued at 4:00 a.m. CDT on October 7, Isaias was centered near 22.0°N, 94.1°W, roughly 580 miles southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River. Maximum sustained winds were 40 mph, the storm was moving east-northeast at 8 mph, and the minimum central pressure was 1004 mb.

At that advisory time, the NHC had not yet issued coastal watches or warnings for the United States. Forecasters said strengthening was expected, so anyone using this page later in the day should check the latest NHC advisory rather than relying on the earlier snapshot above.

Why the forecast can change quickly

Tropical-cyclone track and intensity forecasts become more precise as new aircraft, satellite, buoy and model data arrive. A shift in the forecast path can materially change which Florida counties face the greatest risk from wind, surge or flooding. That is why officials can declare an emergency before a hurricane watch, warning or evacuation order is issued.

State of emergency vs. hurricane watch vs. evacuation order

These terms are related, but they are not interchangeable:

• State of emergency: an administrative declaration that helps government agencies mobilize resources and respond quickly.
• Hurricane or tropical-storm watch: an NHC alert that dangerous wind conditions are possible in a specified coastal area within the watch time frame.
• Hurricane or tropical-storm warning: an NHC alert that dangerous wind conditions are expected in a specified area within the warning time frame.
• Evacuation order: a direction from local or state authorities for people in specified zones or vulnerable areas to leave.

If you live in one of the 25 counties, a state-of-emergency declaration is a signal to prepare and monitor official updates—not a reason to assume that your home is already under an evacuation order.

What residents in the affected counties should do now

Florida’s emergency-management guidance emphasizes preparing before weather conditions worsen. Practical steps include:

• Check your county emergency-management website and enable local alerts.
• Know whether your home is in an evacuation or storm-surge zone. Florida’s official Know Your Zone tool is the best starting point.
• Review your household communication and evacuation plan.
• Charge phones, battery packs and other essential electronics.
• Secure outdoor furniture and other loose objects if strong winds become likely.
• Have several days of essential medicine, food, water and pet supplies available.
• Keep your vehicle fueled if you may need to relocate.
• Never drive through flooded roads; water depth and road damage can be impossible to judge.

Florida’s official Plan & Prepare resources include checklists and preparedness guidance for households with children, older adults, pets and people with disabilities.

Why Florida declared the emergency before landfall was certain

Emergency declarations are often issued while a tropical system is still offshore because the state needs lead time to move supplies, stage equipment and coordinate personnel. Waiting until the forecast is certain can leave too little time to position generators, flood barriers, fuel and other resources.

The governor’s October 6 announcement cited the possibility of heavy rainfall, damaging winds, coastal flooding and isolated tornadoes as reasons to begin preparations. Those hazards can occur far from a storm’s exact center, so the emergency area can be broader than the eventual landfall point.

How to get the latest official information

Conditions can change faster than a news article can be updated. For current storm position, watches, warnings and forecast tracks, use the National Hurricane Center. For Florida preparedness and state-level emergency information, use FloridaDisaster.org. County-level evacuation decisions should be confirmed with your county’s emergency-management office.

AVARIXO will also track major changes in our Alerts section.

Frequently asked questions

Is all of Florida under a state of emergency?

No. Executive Order 26-202 names 25 counties, concentrated in North Florida, the Panhandle and Big Bend region.

Does the state of emergency mean I have to evacuate?

No. A state-of-emergency declaration is not itself an evacuation order. Check your county emergency-management office and official alerts for any evacuation instructions that apply to your zone.

Is Isaias a hurricane yet?

At the NHC’s 4:00 a.m. CDT advisory on October 7, Isaias was a tropical storm with 40 mph maximum sustained winds. Forecasters expected strengthening. Check the latest NHC advisory for the current classification because the storm may intensify after this article’s timestamp.

Are hurricane watches or warnings in effect for Florida?

No U.S. coastal watches or warnings were in effect at the 4:00 a.m. CDT NHC advisory referenced above. That can change, so use the NHC’s current advisory page for the latest status.

Where can I see my Florida evacuation zone?

Use Florida’s official Know Your Zone page and then confirm any active evacuation order with your county.

Bottom line

Florida’s emergency declaration is a preparedness step covering 25 counties as Tropical Storm Isaias strengthens in the Gulf. The most useful action for residents is to identify their local risk, prepare supplies and follow current NHC and county emergency-management guidance. Do not treat a statewide administrative order, an NHC watch or warning, and a local evacuation order as the same thing.