(The Center Square) – Mandatory evacuations were listed in four Florida counties Friday as Hurricane Isaias threatened the northern Gulf Coast, while Mississippi officials opened shelters and closed two county health departments.
Florida’s evacuation dashboard listed mandatory evacuations in Escambia, Franklin, Okaloosa and Walton counties. Bay, Santa Rosa and Wakulla counties were listed under voluntary evacuations. The orders apply to designated zones, vulnerable housing or other specified areas, rather than necessarily covering entire counties.
In Escambia County, an evacuation order took effect at noon Thursday for zones A and B, including Perdido Key, Innerarity Point, Pensacola Beach and other low-lying areas. The order also covered anyone living in a mobile home or low-lying area, regardless of evacuation zone.
Franklin County’s mandatory evacuation began at noon Thursday for all barrier islands, Alligator Point, Bald Point, low-lying areas, mobile homes and RV parks.
Walton County reported voluntary evacuations beginning at 8 a.m. Thursday, followed by mandatory evacuations for zones A, B and C at noon. The state dashboard listed Okaloosa County under mandatory evacuation but did not provide additional details on the affected areas.
Santa Rosa County’s voluntary evacuation notice identified zones A, B and C, low-lying areas and mobile homes. The dashboard did not provide additional evacuation details for Bay or Wakulla counties.
Residents can view active evacuation orders at FloridaDisaster.org/Evacuation-Orders and find their evacuation zone at FloridaDisaster.org/Know.
Florida also partnered with Uber through Emergency Support Function 18 to provide free rides to shelters in counties under a state of emergency for Hurricane Isaias. Residents can use the code ISAIAS26.
In an 11 a.m. update Friday, the National Weather Service in New Orleans said the forecast remained largely unchanged. Gusty winds, coastal flooding and storm surge were already affecting or expected soon in marine and coastal areas of Louisiana and Mississippi.
Forecasters emphasized that impacts can extend far beyond the forecast cone. Although much of the storm’s cloud cover and rain remained farther east, gusty winds and a few showers and thunderstorms were still expected on land, particularly along coastal Mississippi.
Mississippi officials reported five shelters open in four counties, along with two safe rooms in Pearl River County.
Shelter locations included:
• Harrison County: County Farm Shelter, 15035 County Farm Road, Gulfport.
• George County: George County Shelter, 3161 Cooks Corner Road, Lucedale.
• Hancock County: Necaise Shelter, 30360 Highway 603, Perkinston.
• Jackson County: Jackson County EOC shelters at 5500 Ballpark Road in Vancleave and 1843 Highway 613 in Moss Point.
• Safe rooms were also open at the Pearl River County Fairgrounds, 124 Rodeo St. in Poplarville, and the Picayune Community Safe Room, 501 Laurel St. in Picayune.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency directed residents to its Shelters and Safe Rooms webpage for the latest shelter information.
County health departments in George and Jackson counties were closed Friday because of severe weather, according to a state health closure notice.