[jjotto]

No doubt. New Bern where he is from is close to the coast, very susceptible to surge. People wanting to ride it out should at least be aware of what they are in for.

Worst damage probably yet to come from flooding in the Piedmont and hills.

[ClearBlueSky]

How can ANYONE looking at a huge body of water( Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico) think that a hurricane driving it toward you is going to do anything but put the water inland? If you can see the ocean from your property, during a hurricane you will see the ocean IN your property!
AS for inland flooding from rain, that can happen anywhere, anytime. Inland Texas is having floods now-with no hurricane
Trees can-and do- fall during any rainstorms.If you have to evacuate from trees, where is the nearest desert?
Truth is, sensationalism has numbed people to real danger.Everything is so hyped that people who witness rainstorms called 'cataclysmic, monster,' and every other dire adjective, think 'eh, no big deal' when a real Cat 4-5 threatens, and they stay.
Bottom line, if you have a brain in your head and you're looking at sea water-GET OUT for a storm. If you know your neighborhood floods during heavy rains- expect to flood. Power can go out for thunderstorms-prepare. Rain with a name is no worse than a supercell or nor'easter and- if you survive a Cat 1 it is NOT the same as a 5, no matter how its hyped.