Ten Days After Isaias, Panhandle Families Still Can't Apply for FEMA Help
Published October 19, 2026. Facts current as of Monday evening, October 19, 2026.
Ten days after Hurricane Isaias tore through Northwest Florida, residents with damaged and destroyed homes still have no way to apply for federal disaster aid.
Isaias rose quickly out of the Gulf of Mexico and made landfall near Destin on Oct. 9 as a Category 2 storm. It is blamed for at least six deaths in Florida, and most of the damage came from wind that toppled trees, downed power lines and tore roofs off houses. Insurers had logged 46,509 claims worth nearly $582 million as of Oct. 15.
Why it took six days
The state formally filed its request for a major disaster declaration at 8 p.m. on Oct. 15, less than a week after landfall. The governor's office says the time went to the paperwork the federal process requires. A major disaster declaration requires the state to document storm damage and show its severity, and state teams worked with county officials, FEMA and the Small Business Administration to assess homes, businesses and infrastructure. State Emergency Management Director Jared Perdue said teams visited more than 1,000 homes before the request was submitted.
Federal law gives states 30 days to file, which puts six days on the faster end of that window.
What the state is asking for
Florida is seeking roughly $237 million for debris removal, public infrastructure and emergency measures in 15 counties. Assessments found nearly 1,000 damaged homes in eight counties that could qualify for individual aid: Bay, Escambia, Gulf, Holmes, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton and Washington.
Individual assistance is the part that matters most to families. If approved, it could pay for temporary housing, basic home repairs, essential belongings and other disaster costs.
Trump did approve an emergency declaration before landfall, but that only goes so far. It covered 27 counties and 75% of emergency protective costs. Grants to households require the separate major disaster declaration.
Where the president was
When the request went in, DeSantis said he had not spoken directly with Trump, and he told reporters he expected a decision very quickly.
The president spent the weekend in Florida. He attended an RNC fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago on Oct. 16, flew to a rally in Highland Heights, Kentucky, on Oct. 17, and spent much of Sunday at his West Palm Beach golf club before departing for the White House. No approval for Florida was announced while he was in the state.
On Monday, DeSantis said he had spoken with the FEMA director on Sunday, that the request was being processed, and that he expects approval relatively soon. As of Monday evening, no declaration had been announced.
Long waits have become common. An Associated Press analysis in July found Americans routinely waiting weeks or months for presidential approval of disaster aid, compared with an average of about three weeks in Trump's first term. The progressive watchdog Revolving Door Project says Trump has been letting requests pile up and approving them in batches.
Frustration is boiling over on the ground. At a briefing Friday, a Santa Rosa County resident clashed with DeSantis, who defended the state's response while warning FEMA's bureaucracy could leave displaced families waiting months.
What residents can do now
Document damage and take photos now to prepare for a possible FEMA application.
The state is partnering with Emergency RV to provide temporary shelter for displaced residents. Details are at EmergencyRV.org.
Once a declaration is approved, apply at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362.
Sources
Image: GOES-19 infrared view of Hurricane Isaias making landfall near Destin. Credit: NOAA/CIRA.