It will probably intensify some (Cat 2, or so).
I think I mentioned it before, sustained windspeeds will only be part of the factor as it screams Northeast. Most storms (even weaker ones) that speed up the coast, like this is forecast to do, cause considerable damage.
I agree that due to the tight wind field in Charlie's core..that intensification is likely. Most likely will become a strong Cat 1 before landfall near the NC/SC border. It has several negatives against it...strong wind shear, etc....but a few positives....tight core, warm water. That said, if it becomes a weak Cat 2 before landfall I wouldn't be that suprised...Charlie has been a suprising storm all along.
Also, will say that everyone on the SE Coast or Gulf Coast needs to keep an eye on TD 5...even more so than Danielle. Looks to take a similar track as Charlie...and has the same positives going for it.
Political note now....Pres. Bush and Gov. Bush had better respond strongly and quickly to this disaster. It looks like they are doing so at the moment, which is a very good sign. Pres. G. H. W. Bush was rather slow on the response to Andrew...even though he still won FL in 1992...I think the slow response hurt him beyond the borders of FL. All possible aid should be brought in as quickly as possible...by military or any other means.
Yesterday I was talking about Isabel, but called it "Elena" -- anyway last year it hit Virginia after the ground was already saturated with much rain, knocked down many many many trees. Apparently the situation today is similar, much rain lately, ground already saturated.
Big oak trees in urban/suburban areas just keeled over because the roots were not deep due to development.