It is quite likely that on the northeast edge of the eye wall where Dennis came inland between Sanata Rosa Island and Ft Walton Beach area, wind gusts over 140mph likely occurred with a storm surge up to 15 feet, with the south facing beaches witnessing battering waves to 50 feet. …
Not to minimize the destruction and possible injury or loss of life, [but] had the storm come onshore 40 or 50 miles to the west, the more densely populated city of Pensacola would have suffered a far worse fate.
