Hurricane Isaias

Official orders, in their own words

As of our last check, the evacuation orders for Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fort Morgan and coastal Baldwin County are voluntary. We found no mandatory evacuation order from the cities or the county. If that changes, it goes at the top of this page.

• City of Gulf Shores and City of Orange Beach

  Voluntary evacuation: non-residents, and residents of low-lying, flood-prone areas

  “City officials urge all individuals who are not permanent residents to leave the area immediately and relocate to a safer location. Departing now will help reduce congestion, support emergency operations, and ensure the safety of those who may be most vulnerable during the storm.”

  Joint release, 5:15 p.m. ET (4:15 p.m. CT) Oct. 7

  Source: gulfshoresal.gov + 1 more

• Baldwin County Commission / Baldwin County EMA

  Local state of emergency; voluntary evacuation for coastal and low-lying areas

  “A voluntary evacuation is now in effect for: • Coastal areas • Flood-prone and low-lying communities Residents in these areas are encouraged to make preparations and relocate as needed before conditions deteriorate.”

  Posted after the commission's emergency meeting, Oct. 7 (Orange Beach logged it at 5:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. CT)

  Source: baldwincountyal.gov + 1 more

• Baldwin County Commission

  Local state of emergency; county facilities closed Friday

  “Baldwin County has issued a Local State of Emergency to ensure rapid activation of personnel, resources, and emergency support functions. All county facilities will be closed on Friday.”

  Oct. 7

  Source: baldwincountyal.gov

• Gov. Kay Ivey (as posted by the City of Orange Beach)

  State of emergency for 40 counties, including Baldwin

  “The State of Emergency went into effect at 4 p.m. Wednesday for 40 counties, including Baldwin County, and will remain in effect for seven days, expiring Wednesday, Oct. 14th, unless a different expiration time is prescribed by proclamation.”

  Effective 5 p.m. ET (4 p.m. CT) Oct. 7. The proclamation was not yet posted on governor.alabama.gov when we checked.

  Source: orangebeachal.gov + 1 more

• Orange Beach City Council

  Local state of emergency (Resolution 26-202)

  “That the Orange Beach City Council does hereby declare a local State of Emergency effective on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, and authorizes the Mayor to take all actions necessary and allowed by the Code of Alabama, 1975, Section 31-9-10, until such time as the Council rescinds such;”

  Effective 4 p.m. ET (3 p.m. CT) Oct. 7

  Source: orangebeachal.gov

• City of Gulf Shores

  Local state of emergency

  “During a Special City Council Meeting this morning, Mayor Robert Craft and the City Council passed a resolution declaring a Local State of Emergency for the City of Gulf Shores in response to the approaching Tropical Storm Isaias.”

  Oct. 7 (morning)

  Source: gulfshoresal.gov

Visiting? What to do now

• Leave now if you can

  Both cities are asking everyone who isn't a permanent resident to leave immediately. Orange Beach says all bridges will close once sustained winds reach 45 mph, and will reopen when winds subside. On the current forecast, the city expected tropical-storm-force winds Friday morning. NWS Mobile says many roads and bridges will be closed once strong winds arrive, so leave as early as possible.

  Source: gulfshoresal.gov + 2 more

• Routes and traffic

  Check ALDOT's ALGO Traffic for live road conditions and closures before you go, and Baldwin County EMA's evacuation routes page for the official routes off the island. ALDOT explains how it uses contraflow for hurricane evacuations.

  Source: algotraffic.com + 2 more

• Your rental: call your property manager now

  There is no blanket hurricane refund rule for vacation rentals here. What you get back depends on your rental agreement and any travel insurance. Look for a hurricane, named-storm or evacuation clause, and check whether it applies to a voluntary evacuation or only a mandatory one. The orders in effect right now are voluntary. Get any refund, credit or rebooking answer in writing.

  Source: gulfshores.com + 1 more

• Flights: PNS, Mobile and Gulf Shores

  Pensacola International (PNS) issued a weather advisory and tells travelers to check directly with their airline; WUWF reported Wednesday afternoon that PNS had not announced a closure. Delta has posted a travel waiver for Pensacola (PNS) and Mobile (MOB) covering travel Oct. 9-10, with changes allowed through Oct. 13. Destin-Fort Walton Beach (VPS) said it will close to all operations at 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8. In Mobile, check your boarding pass for which airport you're using and check the airport authority site. Turn on alerts in your airline's app.

  Source: pnj.com Subscription + 4 more

• Stay out of the Gulf

  The Baldwin County sheriff urged everyone to stay out of Gulf waters through at least Sunday, saying crews may not be able to make water rescues during or right after the storm. NHC expects life-threatening surf and rip currents. Check the official flag report; we never post a flag color as current.

  Source: al.com Subscription + 2 more

• Events, parks and closures

  The National Shrimp Festival is canceled. Gulf Coast Media's closings list says the Gulf State Park Pier will close at 1 p.m. Friday for storm preparations and staff will assess it Monday, Oct. 12 (the list printed Friday's date as Oct. 7; Friday is Oct. 9). Gulf State Park's own page showed no storm notice when we checked. Gulf Islands National Seashore, including Johnson Beach on Perdido Key, closed Oct. 7.

  Source: gulfshores.com + 3 more

• Get alerts on your phone

  Sign up for Alert Baldwin, the county's emergency notification system. The tourism bureau also points visitors to it.

  Source: baldwincountyal.gov + 1 more

Live here? What to do now

• Know your evacuation zone

  Baldwin County's zones are tied to storm category. For a Category 1 storm, Zone 1 is "All areas of Pleasure Island along with individuals living in manufactured homes, and those living in low lying flood prone areas countywide. (Pleasure Island consists of all areas south of the Intra-coastal Canal to include Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Ono Island.)" Larger storms add Zones 2 to 4. Use the county map and Gulf Shores' zone map to find yours.

  Source: baldwincountyal.gov + 2 more

• Re-entry passes

  Gulf Shores is handing out hurricane re-entry passes at City Hall and the City Store until noon Thursday, Oct. 8; city offices then close to the public. After the storm, passes will be issued at the Gulf Shores Justice Center, 312 Medical Village Blvd. Orange Beach and Fort Morgan residents: see your decal pages.

  Source: gulfshoresal.gov + 2 more

• Sand and sandbags

  Gulf Shores: Gulf Shores Sportsplex, 19025 Oak Road West (sandbags and shovels are not provided). Orange Beach: behind City Hall, 4099 Orange Beach Blvd., fill your own; a shovel is provided if you don't have one. Baldwin County: Central Annex, 22251 Palmer St., Robertsdale (bring your own bags and tools). Gulf Coast Media keeps a countywide list.

  Source: gulfshoresal.gov + 3 more

• Trash and debris

  Gulf Shores asks residents and businesses not to put trash, yard debris or bulk items at the road until the storm has fully passed.

  Source: gulfshoresal.gov

• Power outages

  NHC says to prepare for the possibility of long-duration power outages. Baldwin EMC says all crews are on emergency storm alert and urges members whose medical conditions require electricity to make other plans. Report and track outages on your utility's map: Baldwin EMC or Alabama Power.

  Source: nhc.noaa.gov + 3 more

• Schools and offices

  Baldwin County Public Schools and all county facilities are closed Friday, Oct. 9. Orange Beach City Schools has no school or school-related activities Thursday, Oct. 8, and fall break begins Friday. Gulf Shores City Schools has no school Thursday, per Gulf Coast Media and AL.com. Gulf Shores city offices close to the public at noon Thursday.

  Source: baldwincountyal.gov + 4 more

• Kit and fuel

  Gulf Shores: "The First 72 Are On You - Shelters will not be available for the first 72 hours after a storm." The city recommends at least seven days of food, water and supplies, and filling vehicles and generators in advance.

  Source: gulfshoresal.gov

Shelters and phone numbers

The county says it "strongly recommends evacuation" and that shelters are a last resort: you must register, show photo ID, follow shelter rules and may be subject to a background check. Not all shelters open at once.

• Baldwin County Coliseum (county shelter; pet-friendly shelter at the same site)

  19477 Fairground Road, Robertsdale

  Opens: 3 p.m. CT (4 p.m. ET) Thursday, Oct. 8

  Bring bedding, medications, personal supplies and ID. BRATS will drive people to shelters while conditions are safe: 251-972-6817. The county also lists the Coliseum as its medical-needs and electrical-support shelter site; call the EMA before you go.

  Source: baldwincountyal.gov + 2 more

• St. Paul's Episcopal Church (VOAD community shelter)

  506 N. Pine St., Foley

  Opens: 6 a.m. CT (7 a.m. ET) Friday, Oct. 9

  Bring your own bedding, supplies and medications. Meals provided. Information: 251-256-8202.

  Source: baldwincountyal.gov

• Emergency: 911
• Baldwin County EMA call center: 251-972-6807
• BRATS rides to shelters (while safe): 251-972-6817
• St. Paul's (Foley) shelter info: 251-256-8202

Timeline

Times in ET. “Forecast” items are from NHC Advisory 6 (11 p.m. ET Wed., Oct. 7 (10 p.m. CT)) and will shift.

Updates, newest first

1. 11:30 p.m. ET Wed. (10:30 p.m. CT)

   NHC: Isaias becomes a hurricane

   Hurricane Hunter data showed maximum sustained winds of 75 mph and a pressure of 982 mb. Still about 460 miles south-southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi, moving east-northeast at 9 mph.

   Source: nhc.noaa.gov

2. 11:17 p.m. ET Wed. (10:17 p.m. CT)

   NWS Mobile: Hurricane and Storm Surge Warnings for Baldwin County

   Baldwin Coastal and Baldwin Central are under Storm Surge and Hurricane Warnings; Baldwin Inland is under a Hurricane Warning. NWS: "If you are relocating to safe shelter, leave as early as possible."

   Source: forecast.weather.gov

3. 11 p.m. ET Wed. (10 p.m. CT)

   NHC Advisory 6: Watches upgraded to warnings

   Hurricane Warning from Ocean Springs, Miss., to the Bay/Gulf County line, Fla.; Storm Surge Warning from the mouth of the Mississippi to the Steinhatchee River, Fla. Winds 70 mph. Landfall expected within the warning area late Friday or early Saturday; 5-7 ft surge possible on the Alabama coast and in Mobile Bay.

   Source: nhc.noaa.gov + 1 more

4. Wed. evening (time not posted)

   Gulf Shores: Re-entry passes until noon Thursday; offices to close

   Gulf Shores will keep issuing hurricane re-entry passes at City Hall and the City Store until 12 p.m. CT Thursday, then close city offices to the public.

   Source: gulfshoresal.gov

5. 5:30 p.m. ET Wed. (4:30 p.m. CT)

   Baldwin County: State of emergency, voluntary evacuation, shelters

   Voluntary evacuation for coastal, flood-prone and low-lying areas. County shelter at the Baldwin County Coliseum opens 3 p.m. CT Thursday; St. Paul's in Foley opens 6 a.m. CT Friday. County facilities closed Friday.

   Source: baldwincountyal.gov + 3 more

6. 5:15 p.m. ET Wed. (4:15 p.m. CT)

   Gulf Shores and Orange Beach urge non-residents to leave

   The cities are encouraging all non-residents, and residents of low-lying, flood-prone areas, to voluntarily evacuate. Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon: "Please help us by leaving the Islands so that we do what needs to be done."

   Source: gulfshoresal.gov + 2 more

7. 5 p.m. ET Wed. (4 p.m. CT)

   State of emergency for 40 Alabama counties

   Gov. Kay Ivey's state of emergency, including Baldwin County, took effect for seven days.

   Source: orangebeachal.gov + 1 more

8. 4:30 p.m. ET Wed. (3:30 p.m. CT)

   Orange Beach City Schools: No school Thursday

   No school or school-related activities Thursday, Oct. 8. Fall break begins Friday.

   Source: orangebeachal.gov

9. 4 p.m. ET Wed. (3 p.m. CT)

   Alabama EMA: Impacts Friday into early Sunday

   The state EMA meteorologist said a peak storm surge of 5-7 feet could occur along the coast and Mobile Bay, and stressed that impacts occur well outside the forecast cone. (This outlook predates the 11 p.m. ET warnings.)

   Source: ema.alabama.gov

10. 2:30 p.m. ET Wed. (1:30 p.m. CT)

    Orange Beach: Bridges close at 45 mph sustained winds

    On the forecast at the time, the city expected tropical-storm-force winds Friday morning and said all bridges will close once sustained winds reach 45 mph.

    Source: orangebeachal.gov

11. 12:45 p.m. ET Wed. (11:45 a.m. CT)

    Baldwin EMC crews on emergency storm alert

    The co-op says extra crews are on standby and urges members who need electricity for medical reasons to make other plans.

    Source: baldwinemc.com