What is the deadline for the Hurricane Isaias small business bridge loan in Florida?

The deadline is Nov. 25, 2026, or earlier if the $10 million in funding runs out, according to the Office of the Governor.

Do I have to pay back the Florida emergency bridge loan?

Yes. The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan is a zero-interest, short-term loan, not a grant, so it must be repaid.

Where do I apply for the Hurricane Isaias bridge loan?

Applications are online at FloridaJobs.org/DisasterRecovery/EBL. Questions go to the FloridaCommerce Private Sector Hotline at (850) 815-4925, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

How do I report Hurricane Isaias damage to my business?

Complete the Business Damage Assessment Survey at FloridaDisaster.biz and choose "Hurricane Isaias," as requested by the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

Hurricane Isaias: Emerald Coast businesses have until Nov. 25 for zero-interest loans

Q: Are SBA disaster loans available for Hurricane Isaias?

Not as of Oct. 27, 2026. The SBA had not listed a federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Isaias, which is required before SBA disaster loans open.

Businesses in Okaloosa, Walton, Santa Rosa and Bay counties damaged by Hurricane Isaias can apply until Nov. 25, 2026, for a zero-interest Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan, or until the money runs out. The state set aside $10 million for the program, and more than $4.5 million had been approved for 65 businesses in its first 10 days, according to the Office of the Governor on Oct. 19, 2026. As of Oct. 27, 2026, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) had not listed a federal disaster declaration for Isaias, so the state loan is the fastest business aid available.

What is the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan for Hurricane Isaias?

The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program is a short-term, zero-interest loan that helps a damaged business cover expenses until insurance money or long-term financing arrives. The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) announced on Oct. 11, 2026, that the program was activated for Hurricane Isaias, which made landfall in the western Florida Panhandle on Oct. 9, 2026.

Item	Detail (as of Oct. 2026)
Total funding	$10 million
Interest rate	0% (it is a loan and must be repaid)
Approved so far	More than $4.5 million to 65 businesses in 10 days, per the Office of the Governor on Oct. 19, 2026
Deadline	Nov. 25, 2026, or when funds run out
Where to apply	FloridaJobs.org/DisasterRecovery/EBL
Program administrator	FloridaCommerce

The Office of the Governor said state outreach teams were working in Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties as of Oct. 19, 2026.

How to apply for an Isaias bridge loan

The bridge loan application is online at FloridaJobs.org/DisasterRecovery/EBL, the FloridaCommerce disaster recovery page. FloridaCommerce sets the per-business loan amount and eligibility rules, which are listed on the application page.

Photograph and document all storm damage before cleanup.
Gather insurance information and business financial records.
Apply at FloridaJobs.org/DisasterRecovery/EBL before Nov. 25, 2026.
Call the FloridaCommerce Private Sector Hotline at (850) 815-4925, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with questions.

Because nearly half of the $10 million fund was approved in the first 10 days, waiting until close to Nov. 25, 2026, carries the risk that the money is gone.

Should my business fill out the Hurricane Isaias damage survey?

Yes. FDEM asks every affected business to complete the Business Damage Assessment Survey at FloridaDisaster.biz and select “Hurricane Isaias,” according to its Oct. 11, 2026, announcement. The survey is separate from the loan application and is used to measure business losses across the state.

FDEM also said the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) was preparing an emergency order to waive some licensing deadlines and fees for businesses affected by Isaias.

Are federal SBA disaster loans available for Hurricane Isaias?

Not as of Oct. 27, 2026. The SBA disaster assistance page did not list a declaration for Hurricane Isaias on that date, and SBA disaster loans open only after a federal declaration covers the area.

If a declaration is approved, SBA business physical disaster loans go up to $2 million, and physical damage and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) combined are capped at $2 million per business, according to the SBA.

How to avoid storm-recovery scams in Walton and Santa Rosa counties

Local governments in Walton County and Santa Rosa County issued warnings in October 2026 about fraud and permit rules after Hurricane Isaias.

Walton County: The Walton County Planning Department warned on Oct. 19, 2026, that fake emails are asking people to wire money. Real county invoices come only from [email protected] or an @mywaltonfl.gov address, according to the county alert. Planning can be reached at (850) 267-1955.
Santa Rosa County: Santa Rosa County said on Oct. 12, 2026, that the state of emergency does not waive building permits for permanent repairs, and it warned about unlicensed contractors on Oct. 15, 2026.
Santa Rosa County RVs: The Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners voted on Oct. 20, 2026, to allow RVs and travel trailers in all zoning districts for one year.

Contractor licenses can be checked with DBPR at myfloridalicense.com before any work begins.

Where Emerald Coast businesses can get free help

The Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of West Florida (Florida SBDC at UWF) offers no-cost, confidential consulting to businesses in Northwest Florida. It can be reached at 850-474-2528 or [email protected], and its office is at 11000 University Pkwy., Bldg. 76, Ste. 109, Pensacola, Fla.

Office	What it handles	Contact
FloridaCommerce Private Sector Hotline	Bridge loan and business recovery questions	(850) 815-4925, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Florida SBDC at UWF	Free consulting, loan paperwork help	850-474-2528, [email protected]
Walton County Planning Department	Verifying county invoices and permits	(850) 267-1955
DBPR	Contractor and business license checks	myfloridalicense.com

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