The local mets are blowing this thing off, but not for good reason. They are model-hugging far too much. All the major models have all trended more and more West over time, and if we don't get a more NNE hook soon, then Earl may hit Hatteras and hug the coastline, creating a path of destruction from the Outer Banks all the way up to Long Island. If this thing goes annular (perfect circular formation and strengthens to a Cat 5), it could jet off anywhere, including into the Chesapeake Bay area.
These local meteorologists are playing with fire here and not taking this situation seriously enough. But many of them did the same thing during the Winter storms. Guess they haven't learned.
If you're on the Eastern shore, I'd take precautions and have a plan in place.