First, thanks to those who do volunteer to assist the NWS in its collection of data, including Skywarn spotters and others. And in true emergencies, ARES, RACES, and other organized or ad-hoc amateur groups. As a listener to 7.268 during Irma, in order to relay if necessary, I came away with an observation that might address some of the controversy.
Calling it a "Watch" net, sort of implies any and all sorts of Hurricane-event-related traffic. Nope. Only weather data permitted and solicited from within or near the Hurricane track, per net control. Perhaps Hurricane Weather Data Net would be a better name for it. At least that way no confusion as to the purpose of the net(s). Or, did I miss something?
At least one net control stated that any health and welfare traffic should be taken to SATERN, operating a few kHz away.
Just FWIW, I QSYed to that frequency and heard nothing. It either wasn't in operation, or perhaps skip was such that where I am in Alabama I couldn't hear the impacted area in Florida.
Just my two cents worth, but I came away thinking it didn't rise even close to the level of the multi-faceted Maritime Mobile Service Net.