Local confusion

As the winds mount and the waves begin to crash along the beach, local media reporters are wringing their hands in public over whether a small jog to the north in the apparent path of Dennis, about an hour ago, means the storm is more likely to make landfall closer to Ft. Walton Beach than Gulf Shores. Almost as soon as some talking head says that, some other talking head says the storm is jogging back NNW and again is aiming at Gulf Shores.

If we didn't know better, we might think everyone is starting to panic.

The truth is, no one knows where Dennis will make landfall other than it's likely to be somewhere between Gulf Shores and Destin. Pensacola remains in the bullseye, and, regardless, Dennis will wreak havoc along a broad path of Northwest Florida.

If you insist on seeing the exact pinpoint where the eye of Dennis crosses land, you'll just have to watch NOAA's local radar.