10/12/2026
See below or visit uwf.edu/news for updated UWF notices.
: Hurricane Isaias Return-to-Campus Timeline and Important Information
Update - Oct. 14, 2026 - 4 p.m.
The University of West Florida will reopen to faculty and staff on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. All UWF classes are scheduled to resume on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, allowing students time to return and faculty and staff time to prepare for the resumption of instruction.
All individuals traveling to campus must enter through the main entrance off University Parkway — the East entrance is closed until further notice. Individuals coming to campus on Friday must show their UWF ID card for entry into campus.
Residential Students: Residential students may return to their residence halls beginning Friday, Oct. 16 at noon. Residential students should closely monitor their email for instructions from Housing and Residence Life.
Classes and Coursework: All UWF classes on the Pensacola campus, Fort Walton Beach campus and online are scheduled to resume on Monday, Oct. 19. Faculty are asked to extend deadlines for assignments, exams and projects affected by the closure and to provide appropriate flexibility as students resume their coursework. Students who have any issues that prevent them from resuming coursework, such as power outages or network issues, are advised to contact their instructors. We ask instructors to work with you to develop a plan of action to accommodate you and keep you on track. If you need additional support, please contact the Dean of Students Office at 850.474.2384 or [email protected].
Employees: Faculty and staff should coordinate with their supervisors regarding whether they need to be on campus Friday as preparations continue. Employees experiencing personal impacts from Hurricane Isaias should also discuss any circumstances affecting their return to campus or regular responsibilities with their supervisors.
Campus Environment: Storm recovery and debris removal will continue for the foreseeable future. Some parking lots will remain closed, and the campus community may need to use alternate parking areas. Some pedestrian walkways will also be closed, requiring you to seek alternate routes. Please allow extra time to travel to and from your destination as these closures may increase walking distance. Please use caution when traveling to and around all UWF locations, remain alert for ongoing cleanup activities, and follow posted signage and any safety instructions. All individuals traveling to campus must enter through the main entrance off University Parkway — the East entrance is closed until further notice.
Recreation Areas: Recreational areas on campus, including the tennis and pickleball courts, Aquatic Center and the HLS are closed until Monday, Oct. 19. The nature trails will remain closed until further notice.
Student Resources: We recognize that this is a difficult time for many members of our Argo community. Students who need support navigating the impacts of Hurricane Isaias are encouraged to use the following resources.
Counseling and Psychological Services: Students can access after-hours counseling support 24 hours a day by calling 850.474.2420 and following the prompts to speak with a phone counselor.
Dean of Students Office: Students experiencing immediate needs, including food or other basic necessities, are encouraged to contact the Dean of Students Office at 850.474.2384 or [email protected].
Emergency Student Assistance: Students experiencing unexpected financial hardship that affects their ability to meet basic needs may be eligible for assistance through the Student Emergency Support Fund.
Employee Assistance Program: The Aetna Employee Assistance Program is available to all University employees and offers confidential support and resources.
Phone support: Call 800.272.7252 to access EAP services.
Online resources: Visit mylifevalues.com and enter UWF as both the username and password. The website includes a disaster resources section with practical tips and guidance for coping with a disaster.
Historic Trust: The UWF Historic Trust will be open Oct. 15 - 18 with free admission for visitors to Museum of Commerce, Pensacola Children’s Museum, Pensacola Museum of Art, Pensacola Museum of History, the Historic Village and Old Christ Church. The Barkley House and Dorr House remain closed at this time. Museum hours can be found on the Historic Pensacola website.
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Update - Oct. 13, 2026 - 5:35 p.m.
The University has extended its closure through Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026.
Power has been restored to most of campus, and buildings and residence halls have been cleared of structural damage. While significant progress has been made, crews continue to remove storm debris and clear campus roads, parking lots and pedestrian walkways to ensure they are safe for use.
The University is working to solidify a timeline for a return to campus. Residential students should closely monitor their email for official announcements from the University and from Housing and Residence Life, as information about returning to your residence halls will be coming soon.
Faculty and staff, please pay attention to official announcements from the University and from your supervisors, as more information regarding a return to campus will be coming soon.
Please rely on official University communications for the latest confirmed information, and wait for official communication before making plans to return to campus.
When campus reopens, there will be a transition period before classes resume to allow time for students to return and faculty and staff to prepare. Faculty are asked to extend deadlines for assignments, exams and projects affected by the closure and to provide appropriate flexibility as students resume their coursework.
Only essential personnel are permitted at UWF locations still at this time. All other vehicle and pedestrian access to campus is prohibited as conditions remain unsafe. Essential personnel may only enter through the University Parkway entrance. The East entrance remains closed.
Please stay alert for additional University communications tomorrow afternoon.
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Update - Oct. 12, 2026 - 4 p.m.
The University has extended its closure through Wednesday, Oct. 14. The safety of our campus community is top priority. UWF buildings do not appear to have any major structural damage, but the return to campus depends on several factors including power restoration, debris removal and the completion of necessary safety assessments and repairs. University officials are evaluating conditions day-by-day and will adjust plans accordingly to ensure campus is safe to return.
Please rely on official University communications for the latest confirmed information, and wait for official communication before making plans to return to campus.
When campus is cleared to reopen, residential students will receive instructions regarding their return to the residence halls from Housing and Residence Life. Faculty and staff will be given the opportunity to return to campus before classes resume. Students will not be expected to immediately return to classes when the University reopens. Faculty are asked to extend deadlines for assignments, exams and projects affected by the closure and to provide appropriate flexibility as students resume their coursework.
Only essential personnel are permitted at UWF locations at this time. All other vehicle and pedestrian access to campus is prohibited as conditions remain unsafe. Residential students will be notified by Housing and Residence Life when it is safe to return to their respective hall with adequate time ahead of classes resuming.
At this time, all Homecoming activities and all Presidential Inauguration events have been postponed.
Please stay alert for additional University communications tomorrow afternoon.
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Update - Oct. 11, 2026 - 4 p.m.
The University has extended its closure through Tuesday, Oct. 13 as crews work to restore power to campus and clear debris to ensure the safe return of students, faculty and staff. Only essential personnel are permitted at UWF locations at this time. All other vehicle and pedestrian access to campus is prohibited as conditions remain unsafe. Residential students will be notified by Housing and Residence Life when it is safe to return to their respective hall with adequate time ahead of classes resuming.
Please stay alert for additional University communications tomorrow afternoon, as the timeline for returning to campus will depend on when power is restored and debris is cleared.
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.
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Update - Oct. 10, 2026 - 3:10 p.m.
All University of West Florida locations, including the Pensacola campus, Fort Walton Beach campus and UWF Historic Trust, will remain closed through Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, while the University continues to assess damage on campus from Hurricane Isaias. This includes all classes, events and campus activities. Residence Halls will remain closed. Residential students will be notified with adequate time by Housing and Residence Life when it is safe to return to their respective hall.
Normal University operations, classes, events and campus activities will resume Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, unless conditions change, in which case, University officials will notify all students, faculty and staff.
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.
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Update - Oct. 9, 2026, Noon
All University of West Florida locations, including the Pensacola campus, Fort Walton Beach campus and UWF Historic Trust, will remain closed through Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, to allow the University to assess any potential damage on campus and provide those who have evacuated time to return to campus safely. This includes all classes, events and campus activities. Residence Halls will remain closed. Residential students will be notified by Housing and Residence Life when it is safe to return to their respective hall.
Normal University operations, classes, events and campus activities will resume Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, unless conditions change, in which case, University officials will notify all students, faculty and staff.
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Update - Oct. 8, 2026, 11:05 a.m.
University officials continue to closely monitor Hurricane Isaias, which is currently a Category 1 hurricane and projected to make landfall near Pensacola late Friday, Oct. 9, into early Saturday, Oct. 10.
All UWF classes on the Pensacola campus, Fort Walton Beach campus and online are canceled for the remainder of the week. All UWF locations, including the Pensacola campus, Fort Walton Beach campus and UWF Historic Trust, will close today, Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. This includes all events and campus activities.
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 strong winds, heavy rainfall, coastal flooding, high surf and dangerous rip currents, with the potential for other severe weather impacts. A Hurricane Warning and Storm Surge Warning are currently in effect for the Northwest Florida area.
Residential Students: Students who live in UWF Residential Halls must evacuate their hall by 6 p.m. today, Thursday, Oct. 8. Those who are unable to evacuate must notify Housing and Residence Life by noon today at HRL Evacuation Plan Info Form. Students who do not evacuate will be relocated into UWF’s Shelter of Last Resort for Residential Students in the HLS Building 72. Housing and Residence Life is communicating directly with residents about evacuation plans and steps to take.
Public Evacuation Shelters: Those who wish to relocate to a public evacuation shelter can find information on shelter openings and locations for Escambia County, Santa Rosa County and Okaloosa County.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
