Higgins Contracting LLC

10/10/2026

Outdated information. Please see our latest post.

UPDATE: WASTE AMNESTY EXTENDED THROUGH SUNDAY, OCT. 18

Bay County is now offering FREE residential waste disposal every day through Sunday, Oct. 18, to help residents clean up following Hurricane Isaias.

WHY ISN'T THE COUNTY PROVIDING CURBSIDE STORM DEBRIS PICKUP?

Unlike municipalities that provide mandatory residential garbage collection funded through customer fees, Bay County does not operate a mandatory garbage collection service in unincorporated areas. Instead, the county has expanded its regularly scheduled Waste Amnesty Days to provide residents with a free disposal option throughout the week and weekend.

FREE STORM DEBRIS DROP-OFF

Dates: Now through Sunday, Oct. 18

Hours: 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily

Location: Steelfield Landfill, 11411 Landfill Road, West Bay (off State 79)

Residents may bring fallen tree limbs, yard debris, furniture, appliances, construction debris, household garbage, household hazardous waste and tires (limit 25 per vehicle).

PLEASE NOTE:

This service is available to Bay County residents only. Proof of residency is required.

Commercial customers are not eligible for waived tipping fees. Loads arriving in commercial vehicles or trailers will be considered commercial.

Gas cylinders, explosives, am******on and flares are not accepted. Residential-sized propane tanks are accepted. Appliances, hazardous waste, small-engine equipment and tires should be separated for proper disposal when possible.

We recognize that some residents are dealing with downed trees, damaged property and debris following the storm. Extending free disposal through Sunday provides additional opportunities for cleanup while avoiding the substantial taxpayer expense of a countywide debris collection operation.

For more information, call Bay County Solid Waste Management at (850) 236-2212.

10/10/2026

Team Tyndall,

ALL CLEAR: 10 Oct 2026, 1100L

The 325th Fighter Wing commander has declared Tyndall AFB ALL CLEAR. The immediate threat from Hurricane Isaias has passed, and the installation reopens at 1100L as recovery operations continue. Shelter in place for all personnel and dependents has been lifted.

Personnel Guidance
Personnel may resume regular operations and duty schedules. If you are traveling to Tyndall from off base, use caution, as the storm may have affected local roads and infrastructure. Continue working AFPAAS accountability: all personnel should log into AFPAAS and report their status. Monitor AtHoc, official Tyndall AFB channels (https://www.tyndall.af.mil/Status/), and direction from your unit and supervisor.

Gates
Tyndall Gate, Airey Gate, and Sabre Gate have all returned to normal operations.

Emergency Family Assistance Center
Personnel and families needing assistance can contact EFAC at 850-630-9623. The EFAC is the central point of contact for those affected by the storm. It can answer recovery-related questions, connect you with available resources, and coordinate referrals based on individual needs.

Medical Care
Routine medical care has returned to normal status. For a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or contact Bay County emergency services. For urgent, non-life-threatening needs, use a local urgent care facility.

Dining Facility
The Berg-Liles Dining Facility reopens this evening with grab-and-go meal options. Full dining operations are expected to resume tomorrow.

Other Base Services
The status of remaining installation services is still being determined. Updates on the commissary, AAFES, child care, fitness facilities, and other services will come through official Tyndall AFB channels.

Thank you for your patience and continued discipline as the Checkertail team restores normal operations.

10/10/2026

Downtown Marina Boat Ramp Remains Closed

3:45 PM - October 13, 2026

The City has installed heavy-duty concrete barricades at the downtown marina boat ramp. The area remains unsafe for public use and is closed until further notice.

Anyone who moved the previous barricades to launch their boat during the closure must make alternative arrangements to retrieve their boat from a different boat ramp. The downtown marina boat ramp remains closed due to ongoing safety concerns.

Thank you for your cooperation and for respecting the closure to ensure public safety.

9:35 AM - October 10, 2026

The boat ramp at the Downtown Panama City Marina is CLOSED until further notice due to both docks sustaining storm damage. The Marina T-Dock also remains closed.

10/10/2026

Good morning Bay County! The storm has passed and we have been out all night with our fellow first responders. We are conducting further damage assessments with daylight. It appears that we were spared from major damage but are dealing with power outages, downed trees and powerlines, flooding and minor storm surge issues overall. The west end of Panama City Beach sustained the most damage that we’ve seen so far.

Many power lines are down and red lights are not functioning. Please remember to treat them like a four-way stop. We cannot ensure that all downed power lines are de-energized at this time. We would ask you to stay off the roads as much as possible today and don’t go sightseeing. This will only prolong the recovery as emergency responders and power companies need to have room to work.

I’m proud of the resilience of Bay County and our ability to work together and help each other. Please use today to check on your neighbors and lend a hand to those in need. We will remain with all hands on deck today so please call if you need us.

Our counties to the west sustained considerable damage. Please keep them in your prayers.

I would again like to thank our first responders and EOC personnel for their dedication and commitment to your safety

Sheriff Tommy Ford

10/10/2026

WEATHER UPDATE: Tyndall AFB is transitioning into the recovery phase following Hurricane Isaias. Our Base Recovery Element teams will begin installation-wide assessments at sunrise, when conditions allow them to safely operate.

We know our Airmen, families, civilians, contractors, and community partners have questions. Here is what to expect:

• When will the base reopen? The installation will reopen in phases only after recovery teams confirm roads, gates, utilities, facilities, and emergency-response capabilities are safe.
• When can I access the base? Do not return to the installation unless you receive official direction from your unit, supervisor, or Tyndall AFB notification channels.
• Are services and facilities open? Base services will reopen as conditions permit. We will provide updates on gates, medical support, dining, the commissary, AAFES, child care, fitness facilities, and other services through official channels.
• What is the status of utilities and facilities? Recovery teams will assess power, water, wastewater, communications, roads, and facilities beginning at sunrise. We will share information as assessments are completed.
• Why are teams waiting until sunrise?Safety comes first. Daylight enables recovery teams to identify hazards such as downed power lines, flooding, debris, damaged structures, and unsafe roads before broader movement begins.
• What does the Base Recovery Element do? The BRE assesses damage, establishes safe routes and work areas, supports life safety and emergency response, restores critical utilities and services, and helps prepare the installation for a safe, deliberate return to operations.
• What can I do now? Remain at your current safe location, avoid unnecessary travel, monitor official Tyndall AFB channels and AtHoc notifications, and maintain contact with your chain of command.
• What if I have an emergency? Call 911 for an immediate emergency. Do not attempt to enter restricted areas or drive around barriers, standing water, downed lines, or debris.

Recovery will take time. The Checkertail team is moving deliberately to protect our people and restore the installation safely. Thank you for your patience and continued discipline as we work through recovery operations.

10/09/2026

10/09/2026

BRIDGE CLOSURES: Due to deteriorating weather conditions, at 3:00 PM we are closing THEO BAARS BRIDGE, BOB SIKES BRIDGE, and PENSACOLA BAY BRIDGE (3 MILE) to thru traffic.

Please plan accordingly.

10/09/2026

REMINDER: Tyndall AFB will close at 1730 today.

Airey Gate is the sole access point until closure. After 1730, installation access will be limited to legitimate emergencies.

Mission essential personnel should complete any essential movement now, finalize preparations safely, and shelter in place before conditions deteriorate. Non-mission essential personnel or visitors should not currently be transiting on or to Tyndall. Continue to monitor official Tyndall AFB communication channels for updates.

Tropical storm force winds are expected to begin at 10 a.m., and increase to damaging winds by 6 p.m., with hurricane force winds expected to begin around 9 p.m.

📲 STAY INFORMED & REGISTER FOR ALERTS
For installation-specific updates and detailed hurricane guidelines, regularly visit https://www.tyndall.af.mil/Hurricane-Season/. To receive real-time emergency text alerts directly to your phone, sign up immediately via Alert Bay at https://www.alertbay.org/.
For the most current weather updates visit https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/.

10/08/2026

⚠️ Tyndall AFB has moved to HURCON 2:
Destructive winds of 58 mph or greater are possible within 24 hours.

As part of Tyndall's ongoing hurricane preparedness efforts, our aircraft have safely evacuated or been fully secured.

Please note that Tyndall’s HURCON status applies specifically to the installation to guide military preparedness, but all personnel should continue to ensure their personal safety plans are in place. Finalize your emergency kits, secure loose outdoor items, and confirm your family communication plan.

The 325th Weather Flight is continuing to monitor Hurricane Isaias in the southwestern Gulf of America. The storm currently has maximum sustained winds of 85 mph and is moving East-Northeast at 10 mph.

Hurricane Isaias is expected to make landfall over Gulf Shores as a Category 2 Hurricane. Tropical Storm Force winds are expected to begin Friday morning at 8 a.m., increasing to damaging winds by Friday at 12 p.m. Hurricane Force winds are forecast to begin Friday evening at 7 p.m.

Tyndall is expecting 4 to 6 inches of rainfall (with higher isolated amounts possible), severe thunderstorms, flash flooding, and a storm surge of 5 to 7 feet. There is also a high chance of tornadic activity on and around the station associated with this storm.

📲 STAY INFORMED & REGISTER FOR ALERTS

For installation-specific updates and detailed hurricane guidelines, regularly visit https://www.tyndall.af.mil/Hurricane-Season/. To receive real-time emergency text alerts directly to your phone, sign up immediately via Alert Bay at https://www.alertbay.org/.