it's been four years since floyd re-enforced this rule i've been going by since '96 or so.. if there's a hurricane approaching the east coast, there are two options A) it weakens and hits north carolina. or B) it misses the coast
naturally this is another instance of case A.
i think you guys are going to luck out as far as how hard a lick you take, i'd be very surprised if isabel made it back to cat 4 range. right now it's still entraining dry air, which is the equivalent of you or me inhaling large quantities of sawdust.. not beneficial.
HF 1813z16september