On October 6, 2026, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Executive Order 26-202, declaring a state of emergency for 25 Florida counties ahead of Tropical Depression Nine, a Gulf system forecast to strengthen into a hurricane and approach the northern Gulf Coast. Phoenix Bus Orlando has activated its Florida Hurricane Evacuation Charter Bus program with 24/7 dispatch for facilities, agencies, and organizations that need to move people safely.

Which counties are under the state of emergency

The order covers the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region: Baker, Bay, Calhoun, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, Walton, Wakulla, and Washington counties.

According to the Governor's office, the order lets the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) stage generators, fuel, flood barriers, water, meals, tarps, and sandbags in Tallahassee and the Santa Rosa area. Heavy rain from a stalled front had already saturated soils across North Florida, raising the risk of flash, river, and coastal flooding. Always follow official guidance at FloridaDisaster.org and your county emergency management office.

Why ground transportation matters now

Once evacuation orders are issued, buses become one of the scarcest resources in the state. Nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, schools, and agencies need confirmed seats before roads fill up. Phoenix Bus Orlando operates a 60+ company-owned fleet with in-house drivers — no subcontracting — so a confirmed booking means a real coach and a real driver.

What we have activated

  • Florida Hurricane Evacuation Charter Bus: resident, patient, employee, and community evacuations from affected counties to inland shelters and receiving facilities.
  • 24/7 Emergency Shelter Transfer Services: evacuee movement between shelters, hospitals, and host facilities, with luggage bays for mobility devices and medical supplies.
  • Emergency Response Crew Transportation Orlando: staging and moving utility restoration crews, medical teams, FEMA personnel, National Guard, and military units from our Orlando hub into the Panhandle after landfall.

Trusted by government and military

Phoenix Bus Orlando is a DOD / DOW-approved transportation vendor and GSA contract vendor with active USDOT and FMCSA interstate authority. Contracting officers can request insurance certificates, driver records, and inspection logs at any time, and our coaches can cross into Georgia, Alabama, and beyond on a single task order. Learn more on our hurricane evacuation bus, emergency response, and government & military transportation pages.

Request emergency transportation

Emergency managers, facility administrators, and agencies can call our main line at (407) 574-7662 or 24/7 dispatch at (407) 574-7662, or request a quick quote. Storm conditions change quickly — please plan early and follow all official evacuation orders.

Sources: Florida Executive Office of the Governor, Executive Order 26-202 (October 6, 2026), and reporting by Florida Politics and CBS12.