Hurricane Isaias: How We're Preparing in Destin, Florida
As Hurricane Isaias approaches the Gulf Coast, residents and businesses throughout Destin and Fort Walton Beach are taking precautions to protect their families, homes, and property.
Living and working along Florida’s Emerald Coast means enjoying some of the most beautiful waterways in the country, but it also means understanding the importance of hurricane preparedness.
At Crab Island Tiki Tours, we’re taking Hurricane Isaias seriously and doing what we can to prepare for the storm. We also want to share some helpful information and trusted local resources for our neighbors and visitors who may be unfamiliar with hurricane preparation in Destin.
How Crab Island Tiki Tours Is Preparing for Hurricane Isaias
Our tiki boat spends much of the season taking families, friends, and groups out to experience Crab Island and the beautiful waters around Destin. With a hurricane approaching, however, our focus shifts from enjoying the water to making sure our vessel is safely secured.
As part of our hurricane preparations, we’ve pulled our tiki boat out of the water, placed it on its trailer, and moved it to a secure location.
Removing the boat from the water helps reduce its exposure to storm surge, strong currents, and other hazards associated with hurricanes.
While no preparation can eliminate every risk, taking these precautions ahead of the storm gives us the best opportunity to protect our vessel and prepare for a safe return to the water when conditions improve.
How to Prepare for Hurricane Isaias in Destin
Whether you live in Destin year-round, own a vacation property, or are visiting the Emerald Coast, it’s important to prepare before conditions deteriorate.
Know your evacuation zone. Some coastal areas of Okaloosa County are subject to mandatory evacuation orders. Check your address and follow all instructions from local emergency officials. Visitors should also contact their accommodations or reservation providers and make plans to leave when directed.
Secure outdoor belongings. Patio furniture, umbrellas, decorations, and other loose items can become dangerous during strong winds. Bring them inside or secure them appropriately before the storm arrives.
Prepare an emergency supply kit. Keep drinking water, nonperishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, important documents, and supplies for pets readily available.
Plan for possible power outages. Charge your phones and portable power banks, and make sure you have a reliable way to receive weather updates if electricity or internet service is interrupted.
Stay away from the water. Hurricane conditions can create dangerous currents, waves, and storm surge. Avoid boating, swimming, and unnecessary travel as the storm approaches.
Where to Find Reliable Hurricane Isaias Updates
With so much information circulating online, it’s important to know where to find accurate updates, particularly when it comes to local evacuations, road conditions, and emergency shelters.
Here are some resources we recommend:
National Hurricane Center: Official hurricane forecasts, storm tracks, and watches and warnings.
Okaloosa County Emergency Management: Local emergency declarations, evacuation notices, shelters, road closures, and county updates.
Okaloosa County Facebook Page: County announcements and important local information.
Alert Okaloosa: Sign up for local emergency alerts and notifications.
Florida Division of Emergency Management: Statewide emergency information, preparedness resources, and disaster assistance.
National Weather Service Mobile/Pensacola: Local weather forecasts and warnings for the western Florida Panhandle.
For residents and visitors in neighboring counties, be sure to check your own county’s emergency management announcements as well.
Stay Safe, Destin
Our community is built around the water, and we know how much the Gulf Coast means to the people who live here and those who visit.
For now, our priority is safety. Boats and equipment can be repaired or replaced, but people cannot.
We encourage everyone to take Hurricane Isaias seriously, follow official guidance, and look out for one another.
From all of us at Crab Island Tiki Tours, stay safe, Destin. We look forward to welcoming everyone back aboard when the storm has passed and it’s safe to return to the water. Questions about an upcoming booking? Contact us or call 850-613-1966, and see our FAQs for the weather policy.