Storm Information
Last Updated: 10/9/2026 at 11:40 a.m.
K12 School Closures | Florida College System Closures | State University Closures | FTCE/FELE Test Site Closures | Division of Blind Services & Vocational Rehabilitation Office Closures | Charter Schools & Other Non-Public Schools | Shelter Information | Storm Resources
The Florida Department of Education works closely with school districts before, during and after natural disasters to ensure they have the resources necessary to resume normal operations as quickly as possible. We will continue collaborating with district leadership to address questions as they arise. At this time, the Department is monitoring the storm. Please continue to visit our website for updates.
Also follow @EducationFL on X and Instagram for up-to-the-minute Florida Department of Education storm updates.
K12 School Closures
- Bay County Schools will be closed Thursday, October 8, 2026 and Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Calhoun County Schools will be closed Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Escambia County Schools will be closed Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Franklin County Schools will be closed Friday, October 9, 2026.
- FSU Lab School (Panama City Campus) will be closed Friday, October 9, 2026.
- FSU Lab School (Tallahassee Campus) will operate on an early dismissal schedule for Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Gadsden County Schools will be closed Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Gulf County Schools will be closed on Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Holmes County Schools will be closed Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Jackson County Schools will be closed Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Jefferson County Schools will be closed Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Liberty County Schools will be closed Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Leon County Schools will operate on an early dismissal schedule for Friday, October 9, 2026.
- High School: 11:20 a.m.
- Elementary School: 12:20 p.m.
- Middle School: 1:20 p.m.
- Okaloosa County Schools will be closed Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Santa Rosa County Schools will be closed Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Taylor County Schools will be closed Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Wakulla County Schools will be closed Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Walton County Schools will be closed Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Washington County Schools will be closed on Friday, October 9, 2026.
Florida College System Closures
- Chipola College will be closed Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Gulf Coast State College will be closed Friday 9, 2026.
- North Florida College will close at 12:00 p.m. on Friday October 9, 2026.
- Northwest Florida State College will be closed Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Pensacola State College will be closed on Friday, October 9, 2026 and Saturday 10, 2026.
- Tallahassee State College will be closed on Friday, October 9, 2026.
State University Closures
- Florida A&M University (Crestview Campus) will be closed & virtual on Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Tallahassee Campus will shift to remote classes and close at noon on Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Florida State University (Panama City Campus & College of Medicine Regional Medical Campus in Pensacola) will be closed Thursday, October 8, 2026 and Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Tallahassee Campus will shift to remote classes and work from 8 a.m. to noon Friday, October 9, 2026. Campuses in Tallahassee will suspend normal business operations at noon on Friday.
- University of West Florida will be closed Thursday, October 8, 2026 and Friday, October 9, 2026.
- All UWF locations, including the Pensacola campus, Fort Walton Beach campus, and UWF Historic Trust, will close Thursday, October 8, at 7 p.m., with plans to resume normal operations Monday, October 12, unless conditions change.
FTCE/FELE Test Site Closures
- Florida State University (Panama City Campus) will be closed Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Pearson VUE - Pensacola will be closed Friday, October 9, 2026.
Division of Blind Services & Vocational Rehabilitation Office Closures
- Bay County will be closed on Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Escambia County will be closed Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Leon County will close at 12:00 on Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Okaloosa County will be closed on Friday, October 9, 2026
- Santa Rosa County will be closed on Friday, October 9, 2026
Charter Schools & Other Non-Public Schools
For charter schools and other non-public schools, please note that this information is based on the assumption that if local public schools are closed, charter and other non-public schools are also closed. For the most current information on closures and reopening plans, please continue to check this page and contact your school directly if you have any questions or need confirmation.
Shelter Information
Any emergency plan should include a list of area and regional shelters and directions on how to get there. By choosing several destinations in different directions, you will have options should the emergency situation encompass a large geographical area.
In Florida, there are two types of shelters - general population shelters and special needs shelters. It is important to note that not every person with a disability is eligible to evacuate to a special needs shelter. The best place to shelter for every Floridian is outside the evacuation area, in a safe and secure structure, with family and friends.
While evacuating to a general population shelter, Floridians should bring some of their own supplies such as bed linens or blankets, clothing, toiletries/hygiene items and personal medications. Other resources available at general population shelters may vary. To assure your needs can be accommodated, contact your local emergency management office.
- List of County Emergency Management Offices and Contacts
- Index of General Population Shelters
- Special Needs Shelters - A Special Needs Shelter is for people who have special needs according to the definition in the Florida Administrative Code (Chapter 64-3).