USPS Restores Most Northern Florida Services After Hurricane Isaias

The U.S. Postal Service has restored operations at most facilities across Northern Florida following Hurricane Isaias, though a handful of locations remain temporarily shuttered, the agency announced today.

Seven postal facilities in the region continue to have retail services suspended as cleanup and safety assessments continue. In the Pensacola area, the Nobles branch at 7150 Tippin Avenue remains closed. Milton, Gonzalez, Shalimar, and Valparaiso locations are also affected, with no alternate sites currently available to customers in those ZIP codes.

The Postal Service said it is working to restore full operations as quickly and safely as possible at the remaining closed facilities. Customers can check for updated service alerts at about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/.

DeSantis awards $27M to 14 rural Florida communities, including Panhandle counties

Governor Ron DeSantis announced $27 million in infrastructure funding Tuesday to 14 small and rural communities across Florida, with eight of those awards going to Panhandle counties still recovering from Hurricane Isaias.

The awards come through the Rural Infrastructure Fund, a state program supporting infrastructure projects that drive job creation and economic development in rural areas. According to the Governor's Press Office, the funding will support projects ranging from roadway connectivity improvements to stormwater infrastructure upgrades and building renovations.

Calhoun County is among the recipients, receiving nearly $2.5 million to acquire and renovate a commercial building next to the new Calhoun Liberty Hospital. The project will house a primary care clinic, rural specialty care center, and county EMS operations, and is expected to create about 33 full-time jobs. The Town of Century also received nearly $500,000 through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund for a building renovation and fire suppression system upgrade.

FloridaCommerce received 141 applications requesting more than $193 million during the 2026-2027 application period. DeSantis said the funding is part of broader hurricane recovery efforts and long-term economic strengthening for rural Florida communities.

Escambia County assesses $64 million in Hurricane Isaias damage

Escambia County has completed its initial damage assessment following Hurricane Isaias, tallying approximately $64 million in costs across the region, according to WKRG News 5.

The figure represents the county's preliminary estimate of destruction from the hurricane. Local officials typically use damage assessments like this to help guide recovery priorities, apply for state and federal disaster aid, and plan rebuilding efforts.

The assessment comes as Escambia County and surrounding areas continue recovery operations in the wake of the storm.