I just got off the phone with inlaws in Swan Quarter, NC. That's the county seat of Hyde County, linked by ferry to Ocracoke, which is also in Hyde County. In Swan Quarter, winds have begun to switch from easterly to southerly. It appears the eye will just miss Swan Quarter to the west, though it's possible that they'll see the eastern edge of the eye. So they're beginning to experience the "northeast quadrant" near the eye, the most severe portion because forward speed of the storm adds to the circular wind speed.
They have no power, and they have a pecan tree down (not close to the house; folks know from experience not to plant trees close to houses), but otherwise no real problems. Phones (land lines and cells) are fine. Like a bad nor'easter, they say, but not as cold. A "mandatory" evacuation was ordered, ignored by almost all.
Their primary concern has always been tidal flooding as opposed to wind. Not because of crops this year (it's been so wet, most farmers don't have much of a crop to lose [corn, soybeans, vegetables, winter wheat -- too far east for tobacco and cotton]), but because they feared saltwater contamination which can ruin fields for years. They are now confident that won't happen. There's also a good deal of forest land down there, both state forests and tree farms, which I would expect will receive some damage. But they're pines, which are much more resiliant than the hardwoods we have here in the Piedmont.
Their attitude so far: "no big deal." I'll call again to see if the eye passed over them.