Hurricane Isaias Officially Declared a Major Disaster in Florida

Federal disaster recovery funds are now available to 15 Florida Panhandle counties damaged by Hurricane Isaias after President Donald Trump signed a major disaster declaration on October 27, 2026. The declaration covers the following counties: Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington. On October 29, 2026, the declaration was expanded to include individual assistance for residents in eight affected counties: Bay, Escambia, Gulf, Holmes, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, and Washington.

Public assistance supports government recovery efforts, while individual assistance provides financial support to eligible residents for housing, home repairs, and other disaster-related needs. FEMA's Public Assistance Program helps cover costs associated with debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the repair or replacement of damaged public facilities. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, as well as certain private nonprofit organizations. Debris removal remains a major focus of recovery efforts, with fallen trees and storm debris still lining streets and curbs throughout affected communities.

Under FEMA's Public Assistance Program, the federal government covers 75% of eligible disaster recovery costs, leaving the remaining 25% to be funded by nonfederal sources. As reported by FOX10 News, Santa Rosa County Assistant County Administrator Jared Lowe explained that the remaining costs are split equally between the state and local governments, with each responsible for 12.5% of eligible expenses. The financial impact is expected to be significant, with the Pensacola News Journal reporting that local governments face an estimated $99 million in debris removal costs alone.

Residents seeking individual assistance should first contact their insurance company since FEMA cannot help with losses already covered by insurance. Individuals can then apply for federal assistance through www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362, or by using the FEMA app. The applications are reviewed to determine eligibility and whether a property inspection is necessary to verify the reported damages. As of November 10, 2026, FEMA has approved more than $39.6 million through its Individuals and Households Program, representing 6,430 approved applications.

As recovery efforts continue across the Florida Panhandle, federal disaster assistance will play an important role in helping communities rebuild and recover from Hurricane Isaias. Residents, businesses, and local governments are encouraged to stay informed about available assistance programs, eligibility requirements, and application deadlines. Additional information and updates can be found at from FEMA at FEMA.gov and from the Florida Division of Emergency Management at FloridaDisaster.org.