A hurricane watch just changed your closing date

Written Wednesday, October 7, from the National Hurricane Center’s 10 AM CDT advisory. Storm forecasts change every few hours, so check nhc.noaa.gov before you rely on any timing here.

A hurricane watch is up for the Florida Panhandle. As of Wednesday morning, Tropical Storm Isaias had 45 mph winds and was forecast to become a hurricane Thursday and reach the northern Gulf Coast Friday, with tropical-storm conditions starting around midday and 3 to 6 inches of rain, locally up to 10.

You already know to buy water. Here is the part nobody puts on the checklist: what a storm does to a house sale in progress.

1. Sand and sandbags, today

Escambia County is giving out free sand, first come, first served, open 24 hours. Bring your own bags and a shovel.

• Baars Field Athletic Park, 13001 Sorrento Rd, Pensacola
• Brent Athletic Park, 4711 N.W. St, Pensacola
• Don Sutton Park, 2320 Crabtree Church Rd, Molino
• Equestrian Center, 7750 Mobile Hwy, Pensacola
• Escambia County Road Department, 601 Hwy 297-A, Pensacola
• Ferry Pass Middle School, 8355 Yancey Ln (northwest corner, on Parazine St)
• John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Park, 555 E. Nine Mile Rd, Pensacola
• Travis M. Nelson Park, 4541 County Road 4, Century

Santa Rosa County, as reported by local radio: Leisure St and Citrus Dr in Navarre, Tiger Point Park in Gulf Breeze, Pace Fire-Rescue on Pace Patriot Blvd, and Pine Forest Rd at Carroll Rd in Milton. Call the county to confirm before you drive.

The county gives out sand, not bags. Bags are sold at most hardware and home improvement stores, so call ahead for stock.

One line from the county is easy to miss. Sandbags help with rain flooding. They do not stop storm surge.

2. If you’re buying, insurance can freeze

When the National Weather Service puts up a tropical storm or hurricane watch or warning, Citizens Property Insurance stops binding new coverage and stops raising coverage on existing policies. Many private insurers follow the same pattern. Your lender won’t fund a loan without proof of coverage, so a closing that depends on a new policy can stall until the storm passes.

Flood insurance runs on different rules. A new flood policy normally waits 30 days to start. If you’re buying with a mortgage, that wait does not apply as long as you apply and pay at or before closing. Ask your agent which kind of policy you have.

3. If you’re selling, expect the walkthrough to move

Final walkthroughs, inspections and appraisals get pushed when roads and bridges close. That’s normal. Nobody is stalling you. Call your agent and your title company early and get the new dates in writing.

If the house takes damage, tell the other side before the walkthrough. Photograph everything now, before anything moves.

4. What I’d do today

Photograph the outside and inside of the house. Charge the phones. Put your contract, your insurance policy number and your agent’s phone number in one place you can reach without power.

If you’re in the middle of a deal and none of this makes sense yet, email me at [email protected] and I’ll tell you where yours stands.

One bright spot this week

Chocolate House is now open on Nine Mile Road, at 640 E Nine Mile Rd, Unit 700, daily from noon to midnight. Dessert, waffles, crepes, coffee. If the storm keeps you in Friday, it’s one more reason to go early in the week.

Sources: National Hurricane Center Advisory 4 (10 AM CDT, Oct 7, 2026); Escambia County sand sites as published by the county; Citizens Property Insurance binding-suspension rule; FEMA National Flood Insurance Program waiting-period rules; NorthEscambia.com; Chocolate House’s own Facebook announcement.

Common questions

Why can’t I get new homeowners insurance right now? When the National Weather Service issues a tropical storm or hurricane watch or warning, Citizens stops binding new policies and coverage increases, and many private insurers do the same until the storm passes.

Will a hurricane delay my closing? It can. A lender needs proof of insurance to fund, and inspections, walkthroughs and appraisals get pushed when roads close. Call your agent and title company early.

Is there a waiting period for flood insurance when buying a house? New flood policies usually wait 30 days, but there is no wait when the policy is tied to a mortgage and you apply and pay at or before closing.

Do sandbags protect against storm surge? No. Escambia County says sandbags help with rain flooding but not storm surge.