CAI’s community of homeowner leaders, community association managers, and business partners are devastated by Hurricane Isaias’s continuing impact on the Gulf. Our hearts break for the families impacted by this destructive storm. The destruction stemming from this natural disaster is impacting community associations of all sizes and types in the Florida panhandle, Alabama Gulf Coast, and beyond.

The CAI community is activated and here to support and provide resources. Below we’ve gathered information on current state, local, and federal responses and resources to assist with the difficult task of navigating and sustaining safety and initial recovery surrounding this emergency.

Federal Government Responses and Resources

On October 9, 2026, President Donald Trump approved several emergency declarations for the impacted states: Alabama, Florida, and Georgia in response to Hurricane Isaias, authorizing FEMA to coordinate federal disaster relief efforts. The declaration makes federal assistance available to supplement state, tribal, and local response efforts in the impacted counties. Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75% federal funding. For additional FEMA resources related to Hurricane Isaias, visit FEMA’s Florida emergency-declaration announcement.

CAI will ensure government resources are available to affected communities. This includes advocating to obtain a presidential disaster declaration that includes provisions for debris removal from private roads in community associations. CAI also will engage with Gov. Ron DeSantis’, Gov. Kay Ivey, Gov. Brian Kemp’s offices and the Alabama, Florida, and Georgia congressional delegation to secure vital resources for recovery efforts.

State Government Responses and Resources

Alabama. Ivey issued a Proclamation on Oct. 7, declaring a state of emergency for the following 40 Alabama counties: Autauga, Baldwin, Barbour, Bibb, Bullock, Butler, Chambers, Chilton, Clarke, Choctaw, Coffee, Conecuh, Coosa, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Dallas, Elmore, Escambia, Geneva, Greene, Hale, Henry, Houston, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Russell, Sumter, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Washington and Wilcox.

Florida. DeSantis issued Executive Order 26-202 on Oct. 10, amending EO-26-212 and declaring a state of emergency for 27 Florida counties. They continue to provide updates on Florida’s ongoing response and recovery efforts following Hurricane Isaias. Federal and state assistance is for the following Florida counties: Baker, Bay, Calhoun, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, Walton, Wakulla, and Washington.

Two Florida counties have also announced they are extending Hurricane Isaias debris collection into private communities.

• Okaloosa County: Storm-debris collection begins October 14, 2026, in unincorporated areas. Gated subdivisions and communities with staffed security will be serviced only after the homeowners association submits a signed Right of Entry agreement; electronic signatures are accepted. Homeowners associations in this county should review and submit an official county instructions and ROE form⁠ to receive these services.
• Walton County: On October 13, the Board of County Commissioners approved storm-debris removal from all county roadways, public and private. Residents must properly separate debris and place it within 10 feet of the roadway. Collection timing will depend on access, safety, debris volume, and contractor capacity. It is important for homeowners to review this official county recovery notice⁠ to understand this debris removal opportunity in Walton County.

Georgia. Kemp issued an Executive Order on Oct. 8 declaring a state of emergency for all 159 counties in the state of Georgia.

Insurance Related Responses

Florida’s Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate published tips on how to file flood claims, including how to protect and repair homes and how to avoid being scammed during the process which can be found here. Georgia’s Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Fire Safety issued Directive 26-EX-7 announcing that insurers are not to cancel policies for non-payment from policy holders in the affected counties until further advised by the Department.

CAI’s Disaster Recovery Advocacy
CAI supports policies that improve coordination among FEMA, local governments, and community associations and help ensure association residents can benefit from federal disaster response, recovery, and mitigation resources. Learn more about CAI’s resources on this topic here: https://www.caionline.org/advocacy/advocacy-priorities-overview/advocacy-for-disaster-recovery/guideline-for-removing-debris/

CAI supports specific federal reforms that would make disaster recovery more equitable for community association homeowners:

• Support H.R. 834 and S. 352, the Disaster Assistance Fairness Act, to allow reimbursement for debris removal from community association roads and waterways and assistance for critical condominium common-element repairs.
• Support H.R. 4669, the FEMA Act of 2025, including Section 107, which advances a fairer disaster-assistance framework that includes community associations.

Debris Removal from Private Community Roads: Is your community struggling with removing debris from private roadways and waterways?

If your community owns its roads, they are considered private. FEMA has specific requirements for removing debris from private roads. Debris must be removed by your local municipality; FEMA will not reimburse the community association for debris removal. If your association has debris on privately owned roads and has not already coordinated removal with its local government, CAI recommends taking the following steps before hiring a private contractor:

1. Contact your local municipality as soon as possible. Provide the municipality with a sample resolution  that may establish its authority to remove debris from private roads.
2. Complete and submit a right of entry indemnification form so the locality has legal authority to access association property. FEMA requires this form for reimbursements.
3. Coordinate debris removal through the locality. FEMA reimburses eligible localities, not community associations directly, for qualifying debris removal. Community associations will not be reimbursed by FEMA for debris removal.
4. Wait for the locality to address the request before privately contracting for debris removal.

Questions Related to Disaster Recovery for your Community Association? Contact CAI’s Government & Public Affairs department at government@caionline.org.

CAI stands with the regions impacted by this storm along the gulf coast. We continue to monitor the impact of Hurricane Isaias and will provide updated resources as the situation unfolds.