Florida has activated its statewide price gouging hotline ahead of Hurricane Isaias, allowing Clay County residents to report suspected price increases on storm essentials even though the county is outside the state's emergency declaration.

Attorney General James Uthmeier activated the statewide reporting hotline Wednesday, Oct. 7, after Gov. Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 26-202 on Tuesday, Oct. 6, ahead of the storm.

"If you see or suspect an unconscionable increase in the price of essential commodities, report it to our office," Uthmeier said, according to News4Jax.

Residents can call 1-866-9NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226) toll-free or submit a complaint through the attorney general's online reporting form.

What counts as price gouging

Florida law prohibits excessive price increases on essential goods and services during a declared state of emergency. However, the emergency price gouging restrictions generally apply only in counties covered by the declaration.

Clay County is not included in the current order, although nearby Baker and Columbia counties are. Residents can still report suspicious pricing, but a complaint originating in Clay County does not automatically establish a violation of the emergency price gouging law.

The attorney general's office generally compares reported prices with those charged during the 30 days before an emergency declaration.

Covered goods and services can include food, water, ice, gasoline, generators, lumber, lodging, tree removal, water remediation and roof repairs.

Businesses may justify price increases resulting from higher supplier costs or other legitimate market conditions.

Violations can carry civil penalties of up to $1,000 each, with a maximum of $25,000 for multiple violations within a 24-hour period.

Hurricane Isaias brings flood concerns to Clay County

As of 4 a.m. CDT Thursday, Oct. 8, Isaias had strengthened into the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season, with maximum sustained winds near 80 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Forecasters expected landfall along the northern Gulf Coast late Friday, Oct. 9, or early Saturday, Oct. 10. A hurricane warning extended from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to the Bay-Gulf county line in Florida.

Rainfall of 1 to 3 inches, with isolated totals reaching 5 inches, was possible across parts of the Southeast. Isolated tornadoes were also possible Saturday across eastern Alabama, Georgia and northern Florida.

Clay County remained outside the projected landfall area but faced potential flooding from the storm's outer bands, as previously reported.

Residents can find hurricane preparation information and emergency updates at FloridaDisaster.org.