the National Weather Service’s decision to stop translating emergency warnings for non-English speakers by egreenews reporters Leave a Comment / Digital / By elclubdecomerciantes@gmail.com vatar 1 (Intro – Analytical): Hey folks, glad you’re here — our team at Egreenews has been diving into a recent article from AZFamily about the National Weather Service’s decision to stop translating emergency warnings for non-English speakers. Avatar 2 (Intro – Conversational): Whoa, no way. Are you saying folks got cut off from emergency alerts in their own languages? That sounds risky. Avatar 1: Exactly. The article explains the National Weather Service, or NWS, paused its language translation services after its AI contract with Lilt expired. That meant many vital warnings were only in English for a while. Avatar 2: Hold up, so millions of people who speak Spanish, Chinese, or Vietnamese could have missed life-saving alerts during that period? Avatar 1: Totally, and the data backs that up — about 68 million people in the US speak a non-English language at home, with 42 million speaking Spanish alone. The lapse put many Spanish speakers, in particular, at risk during severe weather. Avatar 2: Wow, that’s wild. Did the article mention how much faster AI translations made things before this pause? Avatar 1: Absolutely. The NWS used to rely on manual translations, which were slow and labor intensive. After partnering with Lilt’s AI in late 2023, translation times dropped from about an hour to under 10 minutes, freeing up meteorologists for other duties. Avatar 2: That’s huge! Faster translations literally meant quicker warnings and safer reactions, yeah? Avatar 1: Exactly. Experts in the article highlighted a 2021 tornado outbreak in Kentucky where Spanish translation of alerts saved lives—families initially ignored English warnings but took cover after hearing Spanish alerts. Avatar 2: Whoa, that story hits deep. So translation doesn’t just help, it literally saves lives. Avatar 1: Right. And the article notes the contract lapse likely follows federal budget cuts and high vacancy rates at NOAA, affecting their capacity. Avatar 2: Hmm, sounds like a real mess. Was there any word on when translations would come back? Avatar 1: Yes, after public outcry and advocacy, NOAA announced steps to reinstate the automated translations by late April 2025, restarting the AI systems gradually. Avatar 2: Phew, that’s a relief. But this whole back-and-forth must’ve caused real tension and confusion in vulnerable communities. Avatar 1: It did. The article quoted language experts warning that losing multilingual alerts could delay emergency responses and increase risk, especially during wildfires, hurricanes, or floods in diverse states. Avatar 2: That’s such a blunt reminder—access to information in your own language isn’t just convenience; it’s critical for safety. Avatar 1: Exactly. The article ends with calls for stable funding and systemic solutions to keep translations reliable and continuous. Avatar 2: Man, that’s a call to action. Because how do people stay safe if the alerts they need simply don’t reach them? Avatar 1: Precisely. And as Hugi Hernandez and the people at Egreenews always stress: equity in emergency communication is a foundational step toward resilience. Avatar 2: Yeah, so this isn’t just weather info — it’s about justice and care for all communities. Avatar 1: Couldn’t agree more. The article from AZFamily, reported by reporter Taylor Rees, is a vital reminder: language access is life access. Avatar 2: Mmm… talking through this makes me realize how much of a lifeline these translations really are. Avatar 1: And that’s what our team at Egreenews aims to highlight — turning complex issues into human stories that inspire action. Avatar 2: Alright friends, thanks for hanging out. Let’s spread the word, stay aware, and keep looking out for each other. Avatar 1: And remember, this conversation is based on AZFamily’s article “National Weather Service no longer translating emergency warnings” by Taylor Rees, brought to you with care by Hugi Hernandez and the people at Egreenews. Avatar 2: Until next time — stay safe, stay kind, stay human.