did anyone really know how far the damage might have gone?

I watched the weather channel coverage of NC and some afterward, and most of the earlier drama came from the fact that Irene was still a Cat 2 storm as it was approaching the coast and no one was absolutely sure where it was going and how strong it would be when it got there. NYC and other areas were merely being cautious... a bit overkill after the fact. But up until it was fact, could anyone guarantee that subways were not going to flood... etc?

After the fact we can all be armchair quarterbacks and say "well see there..." just like after Y2K, so many said "see, it was nothing."

Prep for the worst... hope for the best.