I have done a bit of research since my initial post concerning the effect of land masses on cyclones. It seems that topography is not a primary consideration. It is the time spent over a land mass that robs a hurricane of its energy source. Given this, the forecasters apparently believe that the storm will cross relatively quickly, but I assume there are other factors they are considering which may forestall the typical weakening we would expect from such a transverse. I just wonder what those other factors might be. Thanks for all your responses and insights!