[CedarDave]

My GOD are they overblowing this hurricane!! NC will feel it, but by the time it gets passed that it’s going to be a bug thunderstorm....good grief!!!

Your opinion is shared by at least one professional:

The hype over Hurricane Irene is overblown, predicts the CEO of Advanced Forecasting Corporation. "North of Delaware, most hurricane force winds will very likely be gusts, not sustained winds."

Interesting back and forth comments at the link.

[tomkat]

From your posted link, from Dr. Simon Atkins, CEO, Advanced Forecasting Corporation:

The demise of Irene has already begun. There is no visible eye. The storm intensity is down to 99 mph. This would be a low-end category 2 or a strong category 1 storm, while 36 hours ago some predicted a catastrophic category 4 storm. Air Force Reserve aircraft have found that Irene's eyewall has collapsed, and the central pressure has risen -- rising pressure means a weakening storm.

Yes, it will be windy. However, north of Delaware most hurricane force winds will very likely be gusts, not sustained winds.

(your windage may vary)  

[CedarDave]

From discussion at my link:

I had emphasized the flooding and storm surge on the Mark Levin Show, and on the GLG G+ original article. You are correct about the additional risk element of previous soil / ground saturation. And you are also correct (very likely) that most have overstated the amount of damage forthcoming. We will find out soon enough. I respect Joe Bastardi, just his forecast and mine differ at this point. Lots of dry air is being advected into the storm and there is increasing / moderate wind shear causing Irene to be lopsided. The prediction stands that Irene will make "landfall" on eastern-most NC as a high-end CAT 1, not a CAT 4 like most officials had said just this time yesterday (Thu 8/25/11) morning. Best regards, Dr. Simon Atkins CEO, Advanced Forecasting Corporation [AFC] Dr. Simon Atkins Dr. Simon Atkins