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.
You got that right.
Living in New England and in states north of NC things with a few exceptions have been quiet the last few years have been quiet. Right now these storms are looking for warm bath temps waters.
The last big one going further north was late in the season Sandy of 5 years ago.