Updated Wednesday, October 28, 2026

President Donald Trump approved a Major Disaster Declaration for Florida on Tuesday, October 27, following Hurricane Isaias. The declaration opens federal funding for eligible community recovery work, including in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.

What Has Been Approved?

The announcement authorizes Public Assistance, which supports eligible government and certain nonprofit recovery expenses, including emergency work and restoration of damaged public facilities.

This funding helps communities recover from storm-related costs. It does not provide direct payments to individual homeowners or renters.

Can Residents Apply for FEMA Household Assistance?

Individual Assistance remains under review as of this update. The new declaration does not yet announce household assistance eligibility or open Isaias household registration for our area.

Florida requested Individual Assistance for Bay, Escambia, Gulf, Holmes, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton and Washington counties. Federal officials are still determining which counties will qualify and when assistance could become available.

What Residents Should Do Now

While the household assistance decision is pending:

• Continue your insurance claim. Keep claim numbers, correspondence, settlement information and denial letters.
• Document storm damage. Save photographs and videos, including images taken before cleanup or temporary repairs.
• Keep receipts and estimates. Maintain records of repairs, cleanup, temporary lodging and other storm-related expenses. Saving a receipt does not guarantee reimbursement.
• Watch for an official Individual Assistance announcement before assuming household applications are open.

Check FEMA’s official website, Escambia County updates and Santa Rosa County updates for changes to assistance availability.

The key development: federal community recovery funding has been approved, while a separate decision on direct household assistance is still pending.

Stay connected with Cat Country 98.7, NewsRadio 92.3 and SportsRadio Pensacola 99.1 FM / 1330 AM for continuing recovery coverage.

📻 Listen on 98.7 FM, through the Cat Country 98.7 app, or listen live online.