The big concern I have is for this storm to go north beyond North Carolina and do possible damage in the MidAtlantic to New England states.
You will have plenty of notice if Irma would make a big turn and head north. Also—sea surface temps north of NC are quite a lot cooler than the steaming hot Caribbean, FL Straits and Gulf of Mexico waters. Hurricanes are fueled by water, and warm water is like throwing gasoline on the fire.