Dale County Emergency Management Agency

10/16/2026

The much-anticipated cold front will sweep through the area overnight tonight. In it's wake, strong northerly winds will pick up quickly overnight into early Saturday morning with wind gusts of 30-40 mph persisting through the day and remaining windy into Sunday as well. As ongoing hurricane recovery efforts continue, especially across the Florida panhandle and southeast Alabama, we have issued a wind advisory for these areas tonight into Saturday to especially highlight potential impacts, including the downing of weakened trees and powerlines, blowing around of loose items and tarps, and restricting of aerial assessments.

Across the northeast Gulf waters, a Gale Warning has been hoisted for gale force gusts of up to 40 knots, along with seas building to 5 to 9 feet. Mariners should consider altering plans to avoid the expected hazardous conditions and remain in port and secure vessels.

Temperatures this week have been running above normal with highs in the 80s to near 90 degrees. Behind the front, much cooler temperatures are in store with highs in the upper 60s to lower 70s this weekend with gradually warming temperatures into next week towards the upper 70s.

10/15/2026

Good afternoon,
With ongoing recovery efforts across the area from Isaias, we wanted to give everyone an extra heads up that windy conditions are expected this weekend and into next week. A cold front is forecast to push through the area Friday night with windy northerly winds in its wake. Winds are expected to stay quite windy through the weekend and even into early next week. Wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph will be possible across the area, and a Wind Advisory may be required at some point. These winds can blow around loose items including unsecured tarps and may lead to a few already damaged trees falling. Rainfall is not expected with this front.

10/12/2026

Here is the Post-Hurricane Isaias Preliminary Report. The Observational Data Summary contains an event summary at the top followed by tabular data of the highest winds and gusts greater than 33 kts (stratified by land and marine), rainfall totals greater than 3 inches, NOAA tide gage observations (1 foot or greater MHHW), and lowest mean sea-level pressures (less than 1005 mb). The Impacts Report contains county-based narratives of what has been reported thus far. The data provided are preliminary and are subject to updates and corrections as appropriate.

10/10/2026

**ISAIAS IS NOW POST-TROPICAL. MULTIPLE HAZARDS STILL REMAIN**

NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued and the Hurricane Warning has been cancelled for Central Walton, Coastal Bay, Coffee, Geneva, Holmes, Inland Bay, North Walton, South Walton, and Washington

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect for Coastal Bay, Coastal Franklin, Coastal Gulf, Coastal Jefferson, Coastal Wakulla, and South Walton
- A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for Coastal Dixie and Coastal Taylor
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Baker, Calhoun, Calhoun, Central Walton, Clay, Coffee, Colquitt, Dale, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Gadsden, Geneva, Grady, Henry, Holmes, Houston, Inland Bay, Inland Franklin, Inland Gulf, Inland Jefferson, Inland Wakulla, Jackson, Lee, Leon, Miller, Mitchell, North Walton, Northern Liberty, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, Southern Liberty, Terrell, Thomas, Washington, and Worth

* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 110 miles north-northwest of Panama City or about 150 miles northwest of Apalachicola
- 31.5N 86.5W
- Storm Intensity 65 mph
- Movement North or 355 degrees at 20 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------

At 2 AM ET, Post-Tropical Cyclone Isaias was moving north at 20 mph over Southern Alabama with max sustained winds of 65 mph. All prior Hurricane Warnings have been replaced by Tropical Storm Warnings to account for lingering gusty winds occasionally to around 40 mph or higher. Other pre-existing hazards remain in effect through this intermediate advisory cycle.

A Storm Surge Warning continues across all of our Florida Panhandle and Big Bend coast until later this morning for inundation values of 2 to 4 feet above normally dry ground. Coastal saltwater flooding may linger through Saturday from persistent onshore flow.

Very heavy rain was observed earlier this evening mainly along and just east of Isaias' track. Radar-estimated amounts highlight a swath of 7 to 8 inches from coastal Walton County, FL into western Geneva, and Coffee County, AL with isolated amounts in excess of 10 inches. Standing water is likely at those locations. Although much of the flooding rain threat has subsided, additional bands of showers with embedded heavy rain are expected to redevelop later this morning and focus across the Forgotten Coast, Florida Big Bend, and I-75 corridor. A Flood Watch remains in effect areawide until this evening.

The tornado risk has also diminished substantially this evening, but there is another window of opportunity for potential tornadic circulations within the aforementioned bands through this afternoon.

Despite the overall improved weather conditions, residents are urged to remain vigilant with respect to damage in the form of downed trees and power lines, in addition to any standing water from flooding rains, and continued hazardous beach conditions.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still ongoing across parts of the Tri-state area. Remain well guarded against life-threatening flood waters having possible devastating impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
- Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks, and ditches may become raging rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed.
- Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are still ongoing across the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend coast. Remain well away from life-threatening surge having possible significant impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
- Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast.
- Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low spots.
- Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and numerous rip currents.
- Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected anchorages.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes possibly unfold across the Florida Big Bend and parts of southwest Georgia. Remain well braced against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
- The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the ex*****on of emergency plans during tropical events.
- Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures.
- Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about. Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are ongoing across much of the Tri-state area. Remain well sheltered from strong to gusty winds having possible devastating impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
- Structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof and wall failures. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
- Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs blown over.
- Many roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. Many bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable.
- Widespread power and communications outages.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and check-ins.

Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or videos.

If you are prone to flooding or in an area under a storm surge watch or warning, be prepared for the possibility of a quick and dramatic rise in water levels.

* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

10/10/2026

NEW INFORMATION
---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for Coastal Bay and South Walton
- A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Central Walton, Coffee, Geneva, Holmes, Inland Bay, North Walton, and Washington
- A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect for Coastal Franklin, Coastal Gulf, Coastal Jefferson, and Coastal Wakulla
- A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for Coastal Dixie and Coastal Taylor
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Baker, Calhoun, Calhoun, Clay, Colquitt, Dale, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Gadsden, Grady, Henry, Houston, Inland Franklin, Inland Gulf, Inland Jefferson, Inland Wakulla, Jackson, Lee, Leon, Miller, Mitchell, Northern Liberty, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, Southern Liberty, Terrell, Thomas, and Worth

* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 70 miles northwest of Panama City or about 120 miles northwest of Apalachicola
- 30.8N 86.5W
- Storm Intensity 90 mph
- Movement North or 5 degrees at 20 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------..DAMAGING WIND GUSTS...FLOODING RAINS...AND A FEW TORNADOES
POSSIBLE THROUGH THE OVERNIGHT HOURS INTO SATURDAY...

At 11 PM ET, Hurricane Isaias was located over the western Florida Panhandle with winds of 90 mph and moving N at 20 mph. Isaias is forecast to continue on a northward track through the overnight hours and move into Alabama. Now inland, the peak winds of the hurricane will gradually weaken. However, a considerably large wind field combined with displaced convection east of the track will continue to generate impacts well beyond the forecast cone, particularly east of the hurricane's center.

Conditions will remain dangerous across the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend, Southeast Alabama, and Southwest Georgia for the next several hours. Residents should remain in a safe location until conditions improve.

A Storm Surge Warning remains in effect for the all of our Panhandle and Big Bend coast. Life-threatening inundation values of 3 to 5 feet above normally dry ground remain possible along the Panhandle coast east to the Aucilla River and 2 to 4 feet from the Aucilla River to the Suwannee River. Coastal saltwater flooding may linger through Saturday from persistent onshore flow.

Soggy conditions across the region from recent rainfall will make much of the Tri-state area more sensitive to flooding from additional heavy rainfall from Isaias. Forecast rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches are expected across much of the area from the storm. Localized totals up to 15 inches are possible, especially within banding across the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend. Such values would be capable of producing isolated to scattered flash flooding. Localized considerable flash flooding is also possible where bands of heavy rain move repeatedly over the same area. Given these factors, a Flood Watch is in effect for the Tri-State area through Saturday evening. Minor to isolated moderate river flooding appears likely from the anticipated rain.

Isaias will also bring a heightened tornado risk across the Florida Panhandle and FL Big Bend overnight into Saturday and Southeast AL & Southwest GA late tonight into Saturday.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across the Tri-State area. Remain well sheltered from life-threatening wind
having devastating impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
- Structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof and wall failures. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Damage greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
- Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs blown over.
- Many roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. Many bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable.
- Widespread power and communications outages.

Potential impacts from the main wind event are expected to continue across the Tri-State area. Remain well sheltered from life-threatening wind having limited to extensive impacts.

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across the Florida Panhandle and western Big Bend coast. Remain well away from life-threatening surge having possible significant impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
- Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast.
- Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low spots.
- Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and numerous rip currents.
- Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected anchorages.

Elsewhere across eastern Florida panhandle, Florida Big Bend, southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia, little to no impact is anticipated.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across much of the Florida Panhandle, Big Bend and Southeast Alabama into Southwest Georgia. Remain well guarded against life-threatening floodwaters having possible devastating impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
- Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks, and ditches may become raging rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed.
- Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.

* TORNADOES:
Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across the eastern Florida Panhandle, Florida Big Bend, into Southeast Alabama and Southwest Georgia. Remain well braced against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
- The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the ex*****on of emergency plans during tropical events.
- Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures.
- Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about. Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------
* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to stay inside and away from windows. Listen for updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a battery- powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy.

During the peak of the storm be ready to move quickly. Keep your shoes on and rain gear handy. Boots and athletic shoes offer the best foot protection if you become unexpectedly exposed to the weather.

Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and check-ins.

If a tornado warning is issued for your area, quickly move to the safest place within your shelter. Protect your head and body.

* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org

10/10/2026

Everyone please stay off the roads unless it is absolutely necessary. We have had numerous motor vehicle accidents due to vehicles running into trees that have fallen.

10/09/2026

Dale Medical Center closed clinics at 12am today.

Claybank Family Medicine will remain closed tomorrow.

10/09/2026

Hey everyone! Since there has been so many questions about the onset timing, I have included this graphic to give a general idea. This graphic shows the earliest reasonable time of arrival of the first substantial rain band. NOT the arrival of TS winds. We expect the flood threat and tornado threat to increase with this band as it moves ashore.

10/09/2026

5 am CT Hurricane Isaias update:
Isaias is currently a Category 2 hurricane with top sustained winds of 110 mph. Isaias will have started to weaken as it makes landfall this evening near Pensacola.

Impacts like wind, surge, flooding rain, and tornadoes will extend hundreds of miles east of the center. Rush any remaining preparation to completion early this morning.

10/09/2026

Hurricane has strengthened into a 100 mph hurricane in the central Gulf. It's forecast to continue moving northeast and eventually to the north later tonight.

Rainbands around Isaias will be capable of producing heavy downpours across the region Friday afternoon into Saturday.

This is where the WPC is highlighting a Moderate Risk (level 3 of 4) for Excessive Rainfall Friday afternoon thru Saturday.
The Flood Watch remains in effect for most of the area Friday afternoon through Saturday evening.

Widespread rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches with isolated up to 15 inch amounts remain possible under trailing rainbands.

Rainbands swirling around Isaias will be capable of producing tornadoes as they move through Friday afternoon into Saturday across most of the region.
This is where the SPC is highlighting a Slight Risk (level 2 of 5) for tornadoes Friday thru Saturday.

A Storm Surge Warning remains in effect for our entire Gulf Coast.
Current Storm Surge Forecasts:
West of Indian Pass: 5-7 feet
Indian Pass to Steinhatchee River: 4-6 feet
Steinhatchee River to Swannee River: 3-5 feet