The President approved major disaster declaration DR-4955 for Hurricane Isaias in Florida on October 27, 2026, according to FEMA records. It covers damage from the storm between October 6 and October 12.
Which counties are included
Fifteen counties in the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend are in the declaration.
Help for households (Individual Assistance) and public rebuilding: Bay, Escambia, Gulf, Holmes, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton and Washington counties.
Public rebuilding only (Public Assistance): Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Jackson, Jefferson, Liberty and Wakulla counties.
People in the first group can apply for FEMA grants for temporary housing, basic home repairs and other needs. In the second group, the money goes to local governments for debris removal and public facilities. More counties or programs can be added later as damage surveys continue.
Earlier emergency declarations
Before the storm arrived, FEMA approved emergency declarations for Isaias in Florida, Alabama and Georgia on October 9. Those covered urgent protective measures, such as evacuations and shelters.
How to apply
Residents of the eight counties with Individual Assistance can apply at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362, or through the FEMA app. File any insurance claim first. The usual deadline is 60 days after the declaration. Our step-by-step guide explains how to apply for FEMA assistance.
A familiar place for hurricanes
The Panhandle has been hit hard in recent years. Hurricane Michael, a Category 5 storm, devastated Bay and Gulf counties in 2018, and Hurricane Sally flooded Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in 2020.
In FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gulf County has the highest expected hurricane losses per resident of any Florida county, and Bay and Walton counties are also in the state’s top five. See our Florida hurricane ranking.
Questions people ask
Does this declaration cover flood damage? Yes. FEMA help can cover damage from wind, storm surge and flooding. But FEMA grants are limited, and flood insurance is the main protection for flood damage.
Can renters apply? Yes, in counties with Individual Assistance. Renters can get help with temporary housing and essential belongings.
Where can I see the county’s full disaster history? On each county page, such as Escambia County. Every federal declaration since 1953 is listed.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved November 6, 2026.