Hurricane Isaias is strengthening in the Gulf and putting Panama City and Bay County on alert as residents prepare for potentially dangerous weather Friday and Saturday, October 9 and 10.

As of 1 p.m. CDT Thursday, October 8, Isaias had maximum sustained winds of 85 mph and was moving east-northeast at 10 mph, with additional strengthening expected before landfall along the northern Gulf Coast.

Bay County is under a Hurricane Warning and Storm Surge Warning, and local officials are urging residents to finish preparations before conditions begin to deteriorate.

For Coastal Bay County, officials are warning of potentially life-threatening storm surge, with roughly 4 to 7 feet possible in vulnerable coastal areas, along with damaging winds, heavy rain, flash flooding, dangerous marine conditions and isolated tornadoes.

Residents should not focus only on the center line or forecast cone, because wind, rain, tornadoes and storm surge can extend well away from the storm’s exact track.

Panama City declared a local state of emergency Wednesday afternoon, October 7, allowing the city to take additional protective measures and seek state or federal assistance if needed.

City Hall and non-essential Panama City operations are scheduled to close at 3 p.m. Thursday and remain closed Friday, while essential personnel stay on duty to maintain critical services.

Bay County has issued a voluntary evacuation order for residents and visitors in Evacuation Zones A and B, as well as anyone staying in a mobile or manufactured home anywhere in the county.

People in those groups are being strongly encouraged to leave while roads are still safe and passable and to relocate outside the storm’s anticipated impact area.

The Deane Bozeman School shelter at 13410 Highway 77 in Panama City is scheduled to open at 3 p.m. Thursday, October 8.

Anyone using the shelter should bring medications, medical supplies, bedding and essential personal items, while pet owners should bring a carrier or crate, leash, food, water, medications and vaccination records.

Hurricane preparedness starts with knowing both your evacuation zone and your flood zone, because the two are different and each can affect decisions about whether and when to leave.

Residents should also secure outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and other loose objects, clear debris from storm drains, charge phones and medical devices, and make plans for pets before the weather worsens.

Panama City is providing sand, bags and shovels at 3404 W. 19th Street near the Boys & Girls Club, with a limit of 10 sandbags per city resident or business while supplies and conditions allow.

Bay County has also made sand available at McElvey Road off Thomas Drive in Panama City Beach and at Majette Yard off Firetower Road, although residents should verify availability before traveling as storm preparations continue.

Build or refresh your hurricane emergency kit now rather than waiting until stores are crowded or roads become unsafe.

Bay County Emergency Services recommends keeping at least seven days of food, water, medications and essential supplies for every household member, including pets.

A practical kit should include about one gallon of water per person per day, non-perishable food, flashlights, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, prescription medicines, hygiene items and a battery-powered or solar phone charger.

Keep identification, insurance information, medical records and other important documents protected in a waterproof container, and include cash, basic tools and supplies for infants, older adults or anyone with special medical needs.

Pet supplies should include food, water, medications, leashes, carriers and vaccination records so animals can move safely with the family if evacuation becomes necessary.

The most useful emergency kit is one that is packed before you need it, placed where everyone in the household can reach it quickly and checked regularly for expired food, batteries and medications.

Residents should sign up for AlertBay emergency notifications and continue following official updates from Panama City, Bay County Emergency Management and weather authorities as the forecast changes.

For shelter and emergency information, Bay County’s Citizens Information Center can be reached at 850-248-6090.

Conditions can change quickly with a strengthening hurricane, so the safest plan is to complete preparations today, avoid unnecessary travel once weather deteriorates and follow evacuation instructions if local officials issue them.

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