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In weather emergencies, a lack of Spanish-language information endangers the public

In weather emergencies, a lack of Spanish-language information endangers the public
Kay Nolan
© Matt McClain/The Washington Post
A man stands on a flooded Miami street in Hurricane Irma s wake on Sept. 10, 2017. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)
During extreme weather, the ability to receive storm warnings can save your life. But many non-English speakers in the United States have limited access to information about hazards as dangerous as tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires and floods.
Emergency personnel, media broadcasters and weather forecasters have ramped up efforts to serve the Spanish-speaking population, but it’s a work in progress.
An incident in 2013 exposed the danger of the lack of non-English severe weather information. As a tornado moved through El Reno, Okla., a family of seven took refuge in a drainage ditch They were originally from Guatemala and warnings of the risk for severe flash flooding never reached the Spanish-speaking family. All drowned. A National Weather Service review concluded that a lack of Spanish-language communication was a factor in the tragedy.

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How Spanish speakers lack access to weather information and efforts to help

Weather officials, media recognize call; taking action

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