Ohio, like Minnesota, never worried about hurricanes. This year and this particular storm, IKE changed all that for Ohio. Never have the people here experienced this sort of thing. This was a FIRST....and now there can be a second and third. Weather patterns have changed drastically.
All this tells us that unusual weather is something we are likely to experience more often in the future. Yes, a hurricane can penetrate thousdans of miles and if the path would be such that it move as far as Minnesota, it will go where it wills.
Just be aware, that at this point in time.....anything is possible!!!