In the days following Hurricane Isaias, we’ve seen businesses and organizations step up to help our communities recover. A sincere thank you to @AnheuserBusch and @LewisBearComp for providing more than 50,000 cans of emergency drinking water to communities along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Access to clean drinking water is essential following a storm, particularly for families facing disruptions and the first responders working tirelessly to help them. I also want to recognize Chad Bonner and the entire Lewis Bear Company team for working with local officials and disaster response partners to get these supplies into the hands of those who need them. We’re fortunate to have businesses that recognize the needs of our communities and respond when it matters most. Their generosity and commitment to our region are especially meaningful as recovery continues.

SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS: RECOVERY FUNDING IS AVAILABLE FloridaCommerce has activated a $10 million Emergency Bridge Loan Program for businesses impacted by Hurricane Isaias. 🔹 0% interest 🔹 Loans up to $100,000 for eligible small businesses 🔹 Up to $150,000 for agriculture and aquaculture businesses 🔹 Sole proprietors may qualify 🔹 All seven counties in Senate District 2 are eligible 📅 Apply by November 25, 2026, or until funds are exhausted. These are short-term loans, not grants, and must be repaid. Find the application and eligibility information at FloridaJobs.org/DisasterReco… or through the link in our bio.

HURRICANE ISAIAS RECOVERY | POINTS OF DISTRIBUTION As recovery efforts continue following Hurricane Isaias, several counties are opening Points of Distribution (PODs) to provide residents with essential supplies, including bottled water, ice, ready to eat meals (MREs) and tarps. Below is the latest distribution information for Senate District 2 as of October 11. 📍 HOLMES COUNTY Supplies available at the following locations: 📌 Emergency Operations Center 1001 E. Highway 90, Bonifay Water, ice and MREs 📌 New Hope EMS/Fire Station 1969 Highway 2, Westville Water and MREs 📌 Cross Point Church 1488 Highway 90, Ponce de Leon Water and MREs For additional information, contact Holmes County Emergency Management at 850 547 1112. 📍 WALTON COUNTY Distribution hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Supplies include water, ice and shelf stable meals. 📌 Freeport Sports Complex 563 Hammock Trail E, Freeport 📌 DFS Community Center 361 N. 10th Street, DeFuniak Springs 📌 Emerald Coast Boys and Girls Club 80 Boys and Girls Way, Santa Rosa Beach ⏳ Opening at a later time: Paxton Ag Center US Highway 331 N, Paxton Supplies are still en route to the Paxton location. Please wait for confirmation before traveling there. 📍 OKALOOSA COUNTY A Point of Distribution is scheduled to operate in North Okaloosa County from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. today. Available supplies will include bottled water, tarps and MREs. ⏳ The exact location has not yet been announced in the update available to our office. This distribution is intended for North Okaloosa residents. South Okaloosa residents are encouraged to utilize stores that have reopened. 📍 WASHINGTON COUNTY Washington County Emergency Management is preparing one distribution location for water and MREs. ⏳ The site is not operational yet. The county will announce the location and distribution details once the site is ready. Residents are asked not to travel to the distribution site until that announcement is made. 📍 BAY, CALHOUN & JACKSON COUNTIES We are continuing to gather confirmed distribution information for these counties. Residents should follow their county emergency management offices for the latest announcements. ⚠️ PLEASE REMEMBER Distribution locations, operating hours and available supplies can change as recovery efforts continue. Check with your county emergency management office before traveling. We will continue sharing confirmed resources and updates as they become available.

NEED TO REFILL YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS BEFORE THE STORM? Here’s something important to know as we prepare for Tropical Storm Isaias. Under Florida law, a declared state of emergency can allow you to refill certain prescription medications early, even if you’re not due for a refill yet. Florida’s emergency prescription refill law allows eligible patients to receive up to a 30 day supply of their medication when the applicable emergency conditions are met. If you take daily medication, now is a good time to check how much you have on hand. ✅ Contact your pharmacy before the storm arrives. ✅ Ask about an emergency prescription refill under Florida law. ✅ Check with your pharmacist about any special requirements for your medication. ✅ Don’t wait until pharmacies begin closing or travel becomes difficult. This is especially important for anyone who relies on medication to manage a chronic health condition. Florida Statute 252.358 provides these protections to help residents maintain access to necessary medications during emergencies. A little preparation now can prevent a much bigger problem later. Please share this information with family, friends, and neighbors who may need it. floir.gov/newsroom/archives/…

Please keep in mind that school schedules may change as weather conditions develop. Parents and students should continue checking their local school district’s official website and social media pages for announcements. The Florida Department of Education is also maintaining a statewide list of school closures and updates. 📲 For the most current information, visit: fldoe.org/em-response/storm-…

A lot of weather information is coming at us right now, so here’s a quick guide to what the updates mean and when you can expect them. First things first, Isaias is currently a tropical storm. And since we’re apparently going to be talking about Isaias quite a bit over the next few days, we might as well learn how to say his name. Isaias is officially pronounced “ee sah EE ahs,” with the emphasis on the third syllable. So now we can all worry about the same storm while at least pronouncing its name correctly. Now, back to the important stuff. Just because Isaias is currently a tropical storm does not mean an area cannot be placed under a Hurricane Watch. Watches and warnings are based on the conditions that could affect an area, not simply what the storm is classified as at that moment. Here’s the easiest way to remember it: 👀 WATCH = conditions are POSSIBLE ⚠️ WARNING = conditions are EXPECTED A Tropical Storm Watch means tropical storm conditions are possible, generally within 48 hours. A Tropical Storm Warning means tropical storm conditions are expected, generally within 36 hours. A Hurricane Watch means hurricane conditions are possible. These are generally issued about 48 hours before tropical storm force winds are expected to begin. A Hurricane Warning means hurricane conditions are expected. These are generally issued about 36 hours before tropical storm force winds are expected to begin. So yes, a storm can still be classified as a tropical storm while an area is under a Hurricane Watch. If the storm is forecast to strengthen and hurricane conditions could reach that area, the watch gives everyone time to prepare. 🌀 Tropical Storm: sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph 🌀 Hurricane: sustained winds of 74 mph or greater When should you look for the next forecast? The National Hurricane Center issues its full forecast advisory package every six hours: 4:00 AM | 10:00 AM | 4:00 PM | 10:00 PM CT When intermediate advisories are being issued, additional updates generally come at: 1:00 AM | 7:00 AM | 1:00 PM | 7:00 PM CT Those are the routine update times, but important information does not have to wait for the next scheduled advisory. Special advisories can be issued at any time when significant changes occur. The National Hurricane Center provides the official storm track, intensity forecast and tropical watches and warnings. Our local National Weather Service offices provide detailed information about what those conditions could mean here at home. There is still uncertainty in the forecast, and things can change. We’ll continue watching Isaias closely and sharing important information as it becomes available. For the most reliable information, follow the National Hurricane Center, your local National Weather Service office and your county emergency management agency.

Today was a big day for Marianna with the grand opening of the new Public Safety Building. This project has been several years in the making, and State Representative Shane Abbott and I have been proud to work together to secure funding through the Florida Legislature to help get it across the finish line. The new facility brings City of Marianna operations, the Marianna Police Department, and the Marianna Fire Department together under one roof, giving the men and women who serve this community a facility built for the needs of today and for many years to come. I hated to miss the ribbon cutting today, but sometimes being Dad has to come first. I’m thankful to Shane for being there to celebrate this milestone and for his kind words about why I couldn’t be there. It’s good to see a project we’ve worked on for years finally become a reality. A lot of people have put a lot of time into making today possible, and I’m proud the Legislature could play a part in it. Congratulations to the City of Marianna and especially to the first responders who will call this building home. I hope it serves you as well as you serve this community.

I was 12 years old on September 11, 2001. I was old enough to know something terrible had happened, but probably not old enough to understand just how much that day would change our country. Twenty five years later, I understand it differently. I understand the magnitude of what we lost that day. I understand the courage it took for first responders to run toward something everyone else was running from. And I understand why those who remember it so clearly have worked so hard to make sure the rest of us never forget. But there is another part of that story I think is worth telling our kids. September 12. The next morning, Americans woke up grieving, but we woke up together. Flags were everywhere. Churches were full. Neighbors checked on neighbors. People took care of each other. For a while, the things that divided us didn’t seem nearly as important as what we had in common. My children will only know September 11 through the stories we tell them. I want them to know about September 12, too. I want them to know what this country can look like when we remember that being Americans is something we share. And I want them to know about the 2,977 people who never got to see September 12, 2001. Twenty five years later, we remember them. And maybe we could stand to remember a little more of who we were the day after, too. Never forget. 🇺🇸

Beginning today, Floridians can purchase eligible hunting, camping, and fishing gear tax-free through December 31, 2026. Enjoy tax-free savings and get outside! Learn more:
floridarevenue.com/HuntFishC…