What should the media say when the government isn't saying anything and a hurricane is approaching?

Twice in Hurricane Season 1999 we were confronted with the problem in South Florida. A hurricane was approaching or even already affecting us and there was no guidance coming from the government on how the public should respond to the threat. In this case it was left to individuals in the media to provide the guidance. This resulted in a divergence of advice and confused not only the public, but the government as well. In part because of the different opinions presented by television meteorologists as to the potential local effects of the hurricane, government was reluctant to take definitive action. As a result, people were sent to work only to return in dangerous conditions. Clearly the system does not work. Government is not providing enough guidance and the media is not taking an appropriately conservative approach to the potential for dangerous weather.