Watch CBS News

Post Sandy, Nat'l Weather Service Considers Change To Hurricane Alerts

MIAMI (CBS4/AP) — Following criticism on  the handling of Superstorm Sandy, the National Weather Service is considering changing how it issues hurricane watches and warnings.

Spokesman Chris Vaccaro said in an email Wednesday the weather service is considering a proposal to issue watches and warnings for storms that threaten life and property even if they are no longer hurricanes or tropical storms.

The proposal has not been adopted, but attendees at a hurricane conference last week discussed it.

The National Hurricane Center was blasted by critics last month after it stopped issuing hurricane warnings because the Superstorm Sandy wasn't technically going to be a hurricane anymore when it made landfall.

Some argue that this caused residents in the Northeast to not realize the danger of the storm that did billions of dollars in damage.

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.