NHC To Try Out ‘Experimental’ Storm Warnings

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Some coastal residents always put off emergency preparations until storm clouds loom on the horizon. The National Hurricane Center is going to try giving those people a deadline this year, issuing experimental advisories showing when tropical-storm force winds may hit particular communities to help them understand when it’s too late to put up storm shutters or evacuate. If a tropical disturbance nears shore, forecasters also could post advisories or warnings before it develops into a tropical depression or named storm. Florida’s emergency management director, Bryan Koon, said the new advisories could help validate evacuation orders for people who complain about “hype” around approaching storms.