Mid Bay News is a news organization. While we cover what happens before, during and after tropical weather – we are NOT a weather outlet and we’re not going to pretend to be. We don’t have meteorologists on staff want to direct you to the best information possible – instead of pretending to have it ourselves.
Our Recommendations for local weather
Panhandle Weather – Chris Smith is a former local TV Meteorologist and has been through tropical storms and hurricanes many times. He covered Hurricane Michael and is well equipped with experience.
Red Zone Weather – Spinks Meggison’s outfit has been bringing independent weather updates to the panhandle and Southeast Alabama for more than a decade and has the degrees and experience to back up what he’s saying. He’s also further inland, so he has different factors than Chris as to weather conditions and their effects on his operation.
Here’s the list of closures and updates in advance of the tropical weather we expect from Isaias on Friday.
Government
Walton County School District Weather Updates – monitoring, no changes as of 11:24 October 7, 2026
Okaloosa County School District Weather Updates – monitoring, no changes as of 11:24 October 7, 2026
Eglin Air Force Base Updates: At Hurcon 4 as of 1113 AM on October 7.
NOAA Weather Updates – The source of truth for local information on tropical weather.
Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners– No changes as of 11:27 AM on October 7, 2026.
Walton County Board of County Commissioners – No update.
City of Niceville – Emergency Council Meeting at 2PM
City of Fort Walton Beach – No Updates as of Oct 7 at 11:31 AM
City of Crestview – No changes as of October 7 at 11:32 AM
City of Destin – Monitoring, no changes right now as of October 7 at 11:33
City of Freeport –
City of DeFuniak Springs – Monitoring, no changes as of October 7, 11:35AM
Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office – Monitoring. No updates as of Oct. 7, 11:35 AM
Walton County Sheriff’s Office – No updates as of Oct., 11:38 AM
Florida Division of Emergency Management – Activated at level 1 (full) response for the Isaias tropical weather event.
Schools and Activities
ALL CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN THE DIOCESE OF PENSACOLA-TALLAHASEE WILL CLOSE THURSDAY AND FRIDAY AHEAD OF ISAIAS.
Fort Walton Beach will play @ Choctaw on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
Pace will head to Niceville on Monday, October 12, 2026.
Destin and Walton will play on Thursday, October 8, 2026
South Walton and West Florida will play on Thursday, October 8 at 7pm.
