The problem is the media primarily. Actually local EODs are a problem as well, really. The problem isn't NHC.
But at root is a failure of people who live in a dangerous area to educate themselves on what NHC is very open about regarding the imprecision of forecasting.
Port Charlotte was under a hurricane warning. That was never rescinded. The intention of NHC is everone under such a warning assume they get a direct hit, and that intensity of storms cannot be predicted.
I agree that these people probably sat in their houses because the media kept pushing the point that this hurricane was going much further north. If anyone is to fault in this, it would be the media for not persisting in getting people out of the area.