Cat 4-5 Storm Poses Major Threat To Aviation

Like an ex-wife with a writ, Isabel is bearing down mercilessly on the Eastern Seaboard, expected to wallop the coast as early as Thursday. The hurricane is a Category Four storm, with winds over 155 miles an hour. Twice, its ferocity has been gauged at Category Five and forecasters warn it could happen again as Isabel approaches land.

"We feel pretty confident that someone will (get hit)," said Eric Blake, a specialist at the National Hurricane Center told Reuters. "We're forecasting a major hurricane for the United States East Coast."

It's not looking good for residents and pilots from New York City to the Outer Banks. "Landfall along the US Mid-Atlantic coast somewhere between North Carolina and New Jersey between four or five days is appearing more and more likely," the hurricane center said.

With a penchant for understatement, Blake said, "If you've been lax with your hurricane preparations, now's a really good time to catch up."

Already some residents of the Southeast are stockpiling water, food and supplies. "They don't want to get caught with their pants down," said Steve Myers, co-manager of an 84 Lumber store in Georgetown, South Carolina. Despite higher plywood prices, Myers told the AP that prices are still "cheaper than a $300 window."

The last Category 5 hurricane to strike the United States was Andrew in 1992 and Camille -- which hit the Gulf Coast in 1969. Andrew -- which stands as the most expensive natural disaster in US history -- killed 43 people in Florida and Louisiana and caused $30 million in damage, according to the AP.

FMI: www.nhc.noaa.gov