Escambia County cancels remaining 2026 neighborhood cleanups to focus on Hurricane Isaias recovery

Escambia County Neighborhood and Human Services has suspended all remaining neighborhood cleanup events this year as the department redirects resources toward Hurricane Isaias cleanup and recovery efforts throughout the county.

Four scheduled cleanups have been canceled: Navy Point/Beach Haven on October 14, Northpointe on October 21, Olive Road on November 4, and Ensley North on November 18. The county said neighborhood cleanup programs will resume in 2027, with updates to be posted on MyEscambia.com.

Meanwhile, Escambia County is preparing to begin collection of storm-generated debris from Hurricane Isaias later this week. Residents should note that commercial debris will not be included in the county's pickup service. More information about the debris collection program is available on the county's website.

ECAT Resumes Service Wednesday With Route Changes Due to Storm Debris

Escambia County Area Transit will bring buses back on the road Wednesday, Oct. 14, but riders should expect some adjustments as crews work to clear storm debris from local streets.

ECAT will operate normal service from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., with FlexTransit running 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. However, Route 48 will not run at all due to impassable road conditions. On Route 51, Ensley Street will be skipped; riders needing that stop should board at Johnson Avenue and Vickie Street instead. The UWF trolleys also won't operate.

County officials warn that delays are likely across the system as cleanup continues. Commuters are advised to build extra time into their schedules. For questions, call ECAT at 850-595-3228.

Four Okaloosa County roads closing for Eglin Air Force Base training

Four major roads in Okaloosa County will temporarily shut down this week as Eglin Air Force Base conducts scheduled testing and training operations, according to a news release from the base.

Highway 85, Highway 285, State Road 123, and Florida State Road 293 are all on the closure list. While the exact duration of the closures wasn't detailed in the available information, the military typically coordinates such road shutdowns to minimize traffic disruption during daylight hours when possible.

Drivers in Okaloosa County should plan alternate routes if they regularly use those corridors. Eglin periodically notifies the public about training activities that may impact local traffic, and residents can check the base's website or local traffic alerts for real-time updates on reopening times.