UWF Notice: Tropical Storm Isaias

Update – Oct. 7, 2026, 4:35 p.m.

University officials are closely monitoring Tropical Storm Isaias, which is currently projected to make landfall near Pensacola late Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. 

All classes at the Pensacola campus, Fort Walton Beach campus and online are canceled beginning Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. All UWF locations, including the Pensacola campus, Fort Walton Beach campus and UWF Historic Trust, will close Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. This includes all classes, events and campus activities. Nonessential personnel, as defined by your division head, do not need to report to campus on Thursday, Oct. 8.

Normal University operations, classes, events and campus activities will resume Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, unless conditions change, in which case, University officials will notify all students, faculty and staff. 

According to the most recent update from the National Weather Service, local impacts include potential strong winds, heavy rainfall, coastal flooding and dangerous surf and rip currents beginning Friday. A Hurricane Watch and Storm Surge Watch are currently in effect for the Northwest Florida area.

Residential Students: Housing and Residence Life will be in direct contact with residential students regarding plans for the storm. Students can expect additional information and instructions directly from Housing and Residence Life.

Academics: Because classes are cancelled Oct. 8 – 9, faculty are asked to provide flexibility to students and communicate any revised deadlines or arrangements as appropriate. The Provost’s Office will provide faculty further information. 

Faculty and Staff: Before departing, please follow the below precautionary measures to prepare work areas for the storm and consult with your building emergency coordinator for details and further instructions: 

• Unplug computers and other sensitive electronic equipment, if possible.
• Turn off and unplug your battery backup/uninterruptible power supply (UPS), if possible.
• Ensure that you have taken all computer equipment off the floor (such as towers, monitors, battery backups and power strips), and placed them on your desk.
• Cover your computer equipment with heavy weight plastic sheeting (see your building emergency coordinator). 
• Close your window blinds to help stop potential debris from entering offices.

Athletics: The women’s soccer game against Lipscomb University has been rescheduled to Thursday, Oct. 8 at 11 a.m. Saturday’s home football game against Northeastern State has been canceled. All other home athletic events through Sunday, Oct. 11 have been postponed and will be rescheduled. Visit goargos.com for further information. 

Update – Oct. 7, 2026, 1:40 p.m.

University officials continue to closely monitor Tropical Storm Isaias, which is forecast to continue moving northeast toward the northern Gulf Coast and strengthen into a hurricane before making landfall late Friday, Oct. 9. The University will provide another update to the campus community later this afternoon.

University officials are closely monitoring the tropical weather event, which is currently forming in the Gulf of America. All University of West Florida locations remain open at this time. If conditions change, the University will update the campus community.

According to the most recent update from the National Weather Service, the tropical weather event is projected to continue heading northeast toward the northern Gulf Coast and expected to make landfall late Friday, Oct. 9. 

To ensure you receive future University communications, confirm that your contact information is up-to-date in the University’s communication system, “Mobile Alert.” Log in to my.uwf.edu and search “Mobile Alert” to update and add contact information. 

University officials encourage students, faculty and staff to learn more about storm preparedness at uwf.edu/uwfstorm and review the Emergency Procedures Guide at uwf.edu/emergencyguide. Weather information is available by tuning into WUWF at 88.1FM or online at wuwf.org. Updates from the National Weather Service are available at weather.gov/mob and twitter.com/NWSMobile.

The University communicates with students, faculty and staff via email, phone, uwf.edu, Facebook, X, the UWF Mobile Alert text messaging system and the Guardian mobile app. To learn more about Mobile Alert, visit uwf.edu/mobilealert. For updates at any time, call the UWF Emergency Information Line at 850.474.3333. 

In the event of an emergency, please contact the UWF Police Department at 850.474.2415.