U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary - Destin, Florida

10/09/2026

PORT CONDITION ZULU – HURRICANE ISAIS 🚨

MOBILE, Ala. — The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Mobil will establish Port Condition ZULU effective at 2:00 a.m. CST on Friday, October 9, 2026, in anticipation of hazardous weather conditions associated with Hurricane Isais.

Port Condition ZULU will remain in effect until the storm has passed and the Captain of the Port determines that conditions are safe for port operations to resume.

⚠️ PORT CONDITION ZULU RESTRICTIONS:

⛔ No vessels may enter or transit within affected ports without permission from the Captain of the Port.

⛔ All vessel movements are prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port.

⛔ All waterfront operations are suspended, except for final preparations expressly authorized by the Captain of the Port.

⚓ PORT PARTNERS AND MARINERS:

All maritime stakeholders, vessel operators, and waterfront facilities are urged to complete storm preparations, secure vessels and equipment, and take appropriate measures to protect personnel, property, and critical maritime infrastructure.

The Coast Guard reminds the maritime community that there are no safe havens within affected port facilities during hurricane conditions.

🌊 PUBLIC SAFETY REMINDER:

Residents and visitors along the Gulf Coast are encouraged to remain vigilant, stay off the water, avoid beaches and coastal flooding areas, and follow evacuation instructions issued by local authorities.

.S. Coast Guard Heartland

10/08/2026

‼️ AN UPDATE TO THE LIMITED EVACUATION ORDER

As of 12:30 p.m. the 96th Test Wing Commander has updated Eglin’s limited evacuation order due to Hurricane Isaias.

The order now includes service members, Department of War employees and their dependents residing in Walton County Zones A, B and C; Escambia County Zones A and B; Okaloosa County Zones A and B, and Santa Rosa Zones A and B who have been ordered to evacuate by local civilian authorities.

Contact your direct chain of command for specific guidance, and continue following Eglin Air Force Base for installation updates.

KNOW YOUR EVACUATION ZONE
✅ https://myokaloosa.com/ps/evacuation
✅ https://www.santarosa.fl.gov/667/Be-Informed
✅ https://www.mywaltonfl.gov/1515/Evacuations-in-Walton-County

10/08/2026

HURRICANE ISAIAS | OKALOOSA COUNTY EVACUATION & WATER SAFETY ADVISORY

Okaloosa County has issued a mandatory evacuation order for coastal Evacuation Zones A and B, effective at noon Thursday, October 8, as Hurricane Isaias approaches the northern Gulf Coast.

The order includes Okaloosa Island and designated portions of Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Mary Esther and Niceville. Visitors have also been urged to evacuate the forecast impact area.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary urges residents, visitors and mariners to take the following precautions:

* Heed evacuation orders. Leave designated evacuation areas early, before deteriorating weather and flooding make travel dangerous.

* Stay off the water. Dangerous surf, rip currents and storm surge pose serious threats to swimmers and boaters. Avoid boating, kayaking, paddleboarding and other recreational water activities.

* Avoid beaches, piers, jetties and marinas. Large waves and rapidly rising water can create life-threatening conditions, even before the storm makes landfall.

* Never enter floodwaters. Do not walk, swim or drive through flooded areas. Floodwaters can conceal strong currents, debris and electrical hazards.

* Secure vessels while conditions remain safe. Do not risk your life attempting to retrieve or protect a boat once hazardous conditions develop.

Remember: No vessel or personal property is worth risking your life.

Residents are encouraged to monitor official emergency communications and follow all instructions issued by local authorities.

Evacuation information and shelter locations:
https://myokaloosa.com/eoc/home

Check your evacuation zone:
https://myokaloosa.com/gis_ps

Stay informed. Stay off the water. Stay safe.



U.S. Coast Guard Sector Mobile
City of Destin Government
Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners

10/08/2026

10/08/2026

Okaloosa County has issued mandatory evacuation order for Zones A & B in Destin starting at noon tomorrow (Thursday, Oct 8, 2026). A is the red and B is the pink/tan. Should we receive information that any other zones need to evacuate besides A & B, we’ll share that information in an updated post.

09/25/2026

09/25/2026

Boating around Destin? Know before you go.

Some local shorelines and waterways are part of restricted military property. Check current nautical charts, obey posted signs and buoys, and don’t assume every accessible beach is open to the public.

📻 Monitor VHF-FM Channel 16 while underway.
📞 Station Destin: (850) 244-7147

Know your location. Respect restricted areas. Boat safe.

Found something strange? DO NOT TOUCH!

Military test items such as drones, mu*****ns and debris, can wash up on shore or be found on land. Even if they look damaged or harmless, they can still be highly dangerous!

Should you find anything in or around the Eglin Test and Training Complex and the Gulf, please remember:

🔴 Do NOT touch: Never handle, move, open dismantle or try to recover any unidentified item.

🔴 Keep distance: Move away immediately and keep others back. Please don’t take photos.

🔴 Mark the location: Save GPS coordinates, drop a pin or note nearby landmarks.

🔴 Report it:
- On land – Call local law enforcement or Eglin Security Forces at (850) 882-2000.
- On water – Contact the U.S. Coast Guard

🔴 Leave recovery to the pros: Never try to bring the item to a marina, boat ramp or police station yourself.

🔴 The legal fees: Federal law prohibits anyone from salvaging or retaining any debris. You may face possible penalties to include fines and imprisonment.

09/24/2026

The Destin Seafood Festival is almost here! As our community and visitors head to the harbor for a great weekend, we want to remind everyone enjoying the water to help keep Destin safe.

⚓ Wear your life jacket.
⚓ Boat sober and stay alert.
⚓ Slow down, watch your wake, and keep navigation channels clear.

Increased activity around the harbor means increased vessel traffic, so a little extra awareness goes a long way.

Enjoy the festival, enjoy the harbor, and have a safe weekend on the water! 🦀🐙🐟

One of Destin’s biggest fall traditions is almost here! 🦐🌴🎶

The 48th Annual Destin Seafood Festival returns to the Destin Harbor September 25–27, 2026, bringing a full weekend of fresh Gulf seafood, live music, vendors and family-friendly activities along the waterfront. General admission is FREE.

The festival runs Friday from 4–10 PM, Saturday from 10 AM–10 PM and Sunday from 10 AM–6 PM.

Organizers say visitors can explore more than 75 vendors, multiple live-music stages and a Kids Zone.

There’s also a separate ticketed VIP seafood experience Saturday and Sunday featuring samples from local chefs and restaurants.

I love Destin any time of year, but there’s something especially fun about visiting when the harbor is packed with seafood, music and that unmistakable Gulf Coast atmosphere. 🌊☀️

The festival also helps kick off another longtime Destin tradition: the Destin Fishing Rodeo, which runs throughout October.

If you’re looking for an excuse to head to Destin next weekend, this is a pretty good one! 🏖️🦐

09/23/2026

04/16/2026

⚠️ Road Closures

📢Upcoming Road Closure

The 96th Test Wing will conduct testing on the Eglin Test and Training Complex April 21, requiring the closure of Highway 285 between noon and 3 p.m.

The road should not be closed for more than a 90-minute period. Note, the road may be closed for several periods within the time frame.

See more here: https://www.eglin.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4460695/hwy-285-to-close-for-mission-next-week/
53rd Wing | Eglin FSS | 33rd Fighter Wing | The 7th Special Forces Group | 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing | AFMS - Eglin - 96 Medical Group