It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Arcadia Mill in Milton, FL gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Milton, FL is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Jeremy and his company brings great help and assistance along with a refreshing following of”
“Always Best Care was fantastic to work with!! Jeremy and the office staff went above”
“ABC staff, owner and especially their caregivers have been exception. Communication is excellent and they”
“ABC took excellent care of my neighbor. They provided her with support, comfort, and companionship.”
“My father was in memory care and Jeremy’s team went above and beyond for my”
“I live in a different state from my mother. Always best care are there for”
“Jeremy and his care team provided trustworthy and compassionate home care for my parents. I”
“I would like to thank you all for taking such good care of my friend”
“I truly appreciated the extra mile the caregiver went to give my parents the care”
“Jeremy and Tracy are so very helpful, polite and very accommodating and willing to go”
“We needed help fast with our father and Always Best Care Senior Services stepped in”
“I think the administration are very professional and sent out an employee that's a perfect”
“We give Always Best Care five stars. We had two different caregivers and each one”
“Jeremy and his company brings great help and assistance along with a refreshing following of faith. My stepmother was definitely a challenge for them, but they were still with us in the end. Thank you, and God Bless!”
“Always Best Care was fantastic to work with!! Jeremy and the office staff went above and beyond to assist us with scheduling and billing. Highly recommend!!”
“ABC staff, owner and especially their caregivers have been exception. Communication is excellent and they have gone above and beyond to support our needs in caring for our loved ones. They have made our difficult journey a bit easier.”
“ABC took excellent care of my neighbor. They provided her with support, comfort, and companionship. They did for her what she couldn't do for herself. I highly recommend Jeremy and his staff for anyone needing personalized home care.”
“My father was in memory care and Jeremy’s team went above and beyond for my mother during those 2 years! Very flexible, allowing my mom to change weekly schedule when needed. Would assist with hospital visits and stayed with him even when went to long term care unit. Highly recommend their services.”
“I live in a different state from my mother. Always best care are there for me any time. They are very kind and helpful and honestly I don’t know what I would do without them.”
“Jeremy and his care team provided trustworthy and compassionate home care for my parents. I highly recommend them.”
“I would like to thank you all for taking such good care of my friend y’all went out of your way for us and we’re so so much help for me and for Bobbie .. such a wonderful company and very compassionate.. I would not hesitate and suggesting your company to my friends and family..”
“I truly appreciated the extra mile the caregiver went to give my parents the care they deserved. The house was nice and tidy and the meal prep was a lifesaver. This company really deserves 5 stars.”
“Jeremy and Tracy are so very helpful, polite and very accommodating and willing to go that extra mile to help you or your family member. The staff is very polite and helpful. I feel blessed to have found Always Best Care to assist my family members.”
“We needed help fast with our father and Always Best Care Senior Services stepped in and provided excellent guidance and help. Jeremy helped us get answers to questions we didn’t know to ask and made sure we were aware of everything every step of the way. A true professional with a kind heart! I can’t recommend them enough. My family is truly grateful to have found their services.”
“I think the administration are very professional and sent out an employee that's a perfect fit for my needs! They have been very accommodating to schedules/appointments.”
“We give Always Best Care five stars. We had two different caregivers and each one was friendly, cheerful and followed the directions of their care plan very well. This company is well managed and organized - very oriented towards providing the best senior care but also concerned for the family's well being as well.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Carpenter's Park in Milton, FL with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Blackwater Bistro or visit Santa Rosa Historical Society, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Milton, FL, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Milton, FL understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Milton, FL 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
As its route clearance teams clear roads and restore access in the Florida Panhandle, veteran-led nonprofit Team Rubicon has launched its first Isaias relief operation.Dozens of disaster relief volunteers equipped with tarps, compact track loaders, and chainsaws have begun descending on the Florida Panhandle as Team Rubicon has stood up its first Hurricane Isaias disaster relief operation there. Isaias made landfall on the Florida Panhandle on October 9 as the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season. The Category 2 Hurricane left ...
As its route clearance teams clear roads and restore access in the Florida Panhandle, veteran-led nonprofit Team Rubicon has launched its first Isaias relief operation.
Dozens of disaster relief volunteers equipped with tarps, compact track loaders, and chainsaws have begun descending on the Florida Panhandle as Team Rubicon has stood up its first Hurricane Isaias disaster relief operation there. Isaias made landfall on the Florida Panhandle on October 9 as the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season. The Category 2 Hurricane left downed trees and power lines, debris, and flooding across the Panhandle and Alabama. Areas around Milton, FL, were particularly hard hit.
On Tuesday, October 13, the Team Rubicon volunteers, or Greyshirts, will begin providing disaster response and recovery services in Milton and across surrounding Santa Rosa County. Up to 30 Greyshirts are expected to deploy daily to provide debris management, roof tarping, heavy equipment, and sawyer capabilities to help restore the community.
Meanwhile, eight Greyshirts who deployed on Team Rubicon’s route clearance operations immediately after Isaias’s landfall are continuing sawyer and heavy equipment operations. Over the course of the weekend, the volunteer route clearance team removed 54 obstructions in and around Milton.
On Sunday, with linemen in bucket trucks trailing, the route clearance team cut its way across Santa Rosa County, opening a path for the power company to right downed lines and restore service. On Monday morning, the Greyshirt team started the day by clearing a parking lot for the Feeding the Gulf Coast distribution point, then continued opening other access points in Milton.
Once all route clearance work is completed and no other assistance is needed, Greyshirts on that team are likely to step into the disaster relief operation in Santa Rosa County, or join additional operations that may stand up—including one expected to launch in Pensacola, soon. Team Rubicon’s Hurricane Isaias relief operations are currently scheduled to run through at least October 21.
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PENSACOLA, Fla. (WWSB) - Cleanup continued in the Florida Panhandle after Hurricane Isaias moved through the region, downing trees and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of people.Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin at approximately 9:30 p.m. EDT on Friday, Oct. 9, as a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph, according to the Governor’s Press Office. The storm brought damaging winds across Northwest Florida, with gusts reaching 116 mph in portions of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.V...
PENSACOLA, Fla. (WWSB) - Cleanup continued in the Florida Panhandle after Hurricane Isaias moved through the region, downing trees and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of people.
Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin at approximately 9:30 p.m. EDT on Friday, Oct. 9, as a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph, according to the Governor’s Press Office. The storm brought damaging winds across Northwest Florida, with gusts reaching 116 mph in portions of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Video shared by Ryan Dyer out of Pensacola showed water pouring into storage bins as the storm moved through the panhandle.
Video shared by Elizabeth Ewing showed conditions in Milton, Florida, Friday night, including heavy wind and sheets of rain. Trees were also knocked down.
Drone video from Milton and the panhandle showed the damage in daylight. Heavy equipment is being used to begin cleanup. National Guard members are helping clear trees.
The Florida National Guard has approximately 5,000 soldiers and airmen activated and staged throughout the impact area, according to the Governor’s Press Office. Units are conducting search and rescue, route clearance, ground and air reconnaissance, humanitarian assistance, protection of critical infrastructure and flood mitigation missions, as well as supporting state and local officials with high-wheeled vehicle support.
The Florida National Guard has completed 48 of 72 missions assigned by the State Emergency Operations Center, including clearing more than 12,536 cubic acres of debris and 1,700 miles of roadway, and distributing 4,635 cases of water, 1,710 MREs, 2,646 bags of ice and 2,248 tarps, according to the Governor’s Press Office.
At one point, about 600,000 people were without power in Florida, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi.
As of 1 p.m. EDT Monday, power had been restored to more than 70% of impacted customer accounts, according to the Governor’s Press Office.
Meteorologist Mike Modrick reported that cleanup could take weeks or months.
Gov. Ron DeSantis was joined by Florida Department of Commerce Secretary Alex Kelly at a Walmart in Pensacola Monday to provide updates on the state’s recovery efforts and highlight resources available to impacted Floridians, according to the Governor’s Press Office.
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation committed $1 million in funding and supplies to support hurricane recovery efforts across the Panhandle. Walmart is providing free hot meals, mobile showers, laundry services, Wi-Fi and device charging at locations throughout Northwest Florida, according to the Governor’s Press Office.
Nine Points of Distribution are open across Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton and Washington counties, providing free bottled water, shelf-stable food and other essential supplies to residents impacted by the storm, according to the Governor’s Press Office.
Boil water notices remain in effect in seven counties: Escambia, Holmes, Jackson, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Walton and Washington, according to the Governor’s Press Office.
MILTON, Fla. -- Preserving history with a modern twist, that's the goal of the "Milton Mill District."It's a proposed shopping and social center just steps away from the Blackwater River. This multi-million dollar initiative is still in the planning stage.The city council will review the design at a meeting at 5:30 p.m. This plan has been in the works for the last year.City staff say this Mill District would help put Milton on the map, making it another tourist destination in Northwest Florida."What...
MILTON, Fla. -- Preserving history with a modern twist, that's the goal of the "Milton Mill District."
It's a proposed shopping and social center just steps away from the Blackwater River. This multi-million dollar initiative is still in the planning stage.
The city council will review the design at a meeting at 5:30 p.m. This plan has been in the works for the last year.
City staff say this Mill District would help put Milton on the map, making it another tourist destination in Northwest Florida.
"What we are looking at is a new theme for Milton that embraces its history, focusing in on it being that Milton Milltown," said Stephen Prestesater, economic development director for the City of Milton.
Prestesater says the project has two phases. The first is the "Mill Plaza," currently known as the turtle parking lot.
The proposal includes adding a pavilion and landscaping improvements. The plaza would be used for events like farmers markets and community festivals.
"We'd be activating public space first in that first phase, trying to determine whether or not this could be a successful endeavor and move us into that second phase," Prestesater said.
Just on the other side of Elmira Street would be phase two. This privately owned land would be the future "Kiosk Village." This area would rent space to small-scale retailers.
"We believe it's something that people want," Prestesater said. "We can see the growth is there, and it is our charge and task to be able to support that."
The cost for the project ranges from $2.4 million up to $4.2 million.
Prestesater says the project would be funded through the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), the city, and public-private ventures.
"I'm excited about the walkability," First Presbyterian Church pastor Deborah Potter said. "We're trying to build serious communities, share life together, and you can't do that if you're not a walkable community that comes into contact with neighbors every day."
The First Presbyterian Church was founded in 1868. It's the one of the oldest churches in Santa Rosa County. It's the neighboring property for the project sites.
Potter says the Mill District maintains the longstanding history in Milton.
"We think that fits in with the whole downtown, what we want to be in terms of walkability, artists, people interested in a real vitality and diversity in life," Potter said.
No final decisions will be made Thursday night on the project. The plan is to continue evaluating elements like funding, property needs, and impacts of the project.
Isaias brought damaging winds and storm surge to the Gulf Coast, then spread flooding rain, winds and tornadoes inland.Hurricane Isaias slammed into the Florida Panhandle's Gulf Coast, then spread its heavy rain, winds and spawned tornadoes over the South and East fighting off winds shear during a super El Niño Atlantic hurricane season.The landfallIsaias made landfall near Destin, Florida, on the evening of Oct. 9 with sustained winds of 105 ...
Hurricane Isaias slammed into the Florida Panhandle's Gulf Coast, then spread its heavy rain, winds and spawned tornadoes over the South and East fighting off winds shear during a super El Niño Atlantic hurricane season.
Isaias made landfall near Destin, Florida, on the evening of Oct. 9 with sustained winds of 105 mph, a Category 2 hurricane.
That was the first hurricane to landfall in the mainland U.S. in two years, since Milton slammed into western Florida on Oct. 9, 2024.
Isaias' highest storm surge inundation was generally along and to the east of its landfall.
According to preliminary data from the National Weather Service in Mobile, Alabama, the highest inundation was measured in Panama City (5.6 feet), while 4-feet of inundation was recorded in Destin and 2.73 feet occurred in Pensacola.
Post-storm surveys will likely be done to determine what the final peak storm surge inundation was along the Gulf Coast.
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A rare extreme wind warning was issued for the western Florida Panhandle, including Pensacola and Destin, for the likelihood of wind gusts over 115 mph ahead of the eyewall of Isaias.
Six separate reporting stations measured wind gusts over 100 mph at landfall, including a 117 mph gust near Oriole Beach, Florida.
A roof was blown off a hotel and gas station canopies were collapsed in Pensacola. Trees were uprooted, one of which crushed a business on Fort Walton Beach. There were also multiple RVs blown over, including one onto US 98 between Gulf Breeze and Navarre.
Strong wind gusts then moved inland over parts of the Southeast on Oct. 10. Here were some peak notable inland gusts:
Numerous trees and power lines were downed, some on homes and roads, in Alabama, Georgia and parts of the Carolinas.
At its peak, about 900,000 customers were without power from the Gulf Coast into the Southeast, according to poweroutage.us.
The heaviest rain from Isaias was near its landfall along the Gulf Coast, where a few locations picked up over 11 inches of rain, lead by Bellwood, Alabama (12.97 inches in just 13 hours). Another reporting station on the southeast side of Jacksonville, Florida, reported almost 16 inches of rain, but over a five-day period including rainfall well before the arrival of Isaias.
That heavy rain also spread well inland, especially in the Appalachians and adjacent foothills from upstate South Carolina to Virginia. Up to 9 inches fell in western North Carolina. 6 inches in South Carolina and over 5 inches was reported in parts of western Virginia.
A few roads were washed out in the high country of the western Carolinas and one basement was flooded in Ivanhoe, Virginia.
Typical of landfalling hurricanes and tropical storms, Isaias spawned several tornadoes, primarily from the Carolinas into eastern Georgia from Oct. 10-11.
A cluster of these tornadoes happened on Oct. 10 in the Savannah River Valley including near Newington and Oliver, Georgia.
Three homes were heavily damaged from an apparent tornado west of Allendale, South Carolina.
On Oct. 11, one building was destroyed and another heavily damaged from an apparent tornado in Candor, North Carolina.
It began first as Tropical Depression Nine over the far southwest Gulf on Oct. 6, just over 72 hours before it would make its landfall.
It then became Tropical Storm Isaias the following morning and late that night, Isaias became the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season while it was centered 460 miles south-southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River.
It was the longest wait until the Atlantic's first hurricane of the season in the modern era, about four weeks later than the previous record.
Isaias continued to intensify, with favorable winds spreading apart over its center, rather than more hostile wind shear hitting it from the west.
It intensified into the first major hurricane of the season on the morning of Oct. 9, before wind shear cost it a little bit of wind intensity at its Category 2 landfall that night.
Prior to landfall, a Saildrone captured a view on the Gulf inside Isaias, recording gusts just over 100 mph.
Isaias replaced "Ike" on one of the Atlantic name lists after that name was retired following the destructive, deadly 2008 hurricane.
It wasn't used during its first year of eligibility in 2014, since we only reached the eighth name, Hanna, that year.
However, the name was used in 2020 for a storm that eventually tracked up the East Coast with destructive winds.
MILTON, Fla. -- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has requested a Major Disaster Declaration from the White House. It is now awaiting President Donald Trump's approval.The request seeks additional federal resources to support impacted communities across Northwest Florida, including Public Assistance for 15 counties and Individual Assistance for eligible residents in 8 designated counties.DeSantis held a press conference in Milton Friday morning regarding Hurricane Isaias recovery. He was joined by Florida Division of Emergency Mana...
MILTON, Fla. -- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has requested a Major Disaster Declaration from the White House. It is now awaiting President Donald Trump's approval.
The request seeks additional federal resources to support impacted communities across Northwest Florida, including Public Assistance for 15 counties and Individual Assistance for eligible residents in 8 designated counties.
DeSantis held a press conference in Milton Friday morning regarding Hurricane Isaias recovery. He was joined by Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Jared Perdue.
“As recovery efforts continue, Florida has submitted a Major Disaster Declaration request to the federal government. We are requesting Public and Individual Assistance to help support Panhandle residents, local governments, and infrastructure affected by the storm,” said Governor DeSantis. “In addition, we are now partnering with Emergency RV to provide temporary housing for Floridians displaced by Hurricane Isaias. We will be doing everything we can to help these families rebuild their homes, and in the meantime, we want them to be able to keep living in their communities with as little disruption to their daily lives as possible.”
Florida's request includes Public Assistance for the following 15 counties: Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla, Walton and Washington.
If approved, Public Assistance would make federal funding available to eligible state and local governments and certain nonprofit organizations to offset disaster response and recovery costs. Depending on the categories authorized, eligible expenses may include:
Debris removal and emergency protective measures.
The request also seeks Individual Assistance for residents in Bay, Escambia, Gulf, Holmes, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton and Washington counties who experienced damage to their homes and personal property as a result of Hurricane Isaias.
If approved, Individual Assistance could provide eligible households with funding for temporary housing, basic home repairs, essential personal property and other necessary disaster-related expenses, depending on the programs authorized and individual eligibility. The program is designed to help residents address uninsured or underinsured losses and begin the recovery process.
Upon federal approval and the opening of registration, eligible residents in designated counties will be able to apply to FEMA for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362.
Florida is partnering with Emergency RV to provide temporary sheltering for Floridians displaced by Hurricane Isaias. The program will prioritize eligible residents whose homes sustained the most significant damage, providing a safe place to stay as they rebuild and recover. If your family has been displaced by Hurricane Isaias and needs temporary shelter, more information and the application to apply are available on EmergencyRV.org.
While Florida awaits federal approval of the Major Disaster Declaration request, state and local response and recovery operations remain ongoing across impacted areas. The SERT continues to prioritize restoration of critical infrastructure and coordination of resources to support impacted communities.
FDEM will continue working closely with FEMA, SBA and local emergency management officials to identify additional recovery needs and pursue available federal assistance. Florida remains committed to supporting impacted communities throughout the response and recovery process and ensuring Floridians have the resources necessary to recover from Hurricane Isaias.
This is a developing story. Check back here for updates.
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