During severe weather, like the tornadoes that tore through Middle Tennessee on Dec. 9, everybody needs timely information about where the storm is and when to take shelter. But in Nashville, where dozens of languages are spoken, access to that information isn’t guaranteed.
The Spanish language news outlet Nashville Noticias went live throughout the afternoon and evening on Saturday to give updates on tornado watches and warnings. Veronica Salcedo shared with viewers when the severe weather was expected in their areas, as well as information on how to take shelter.
“Lo más importante es estar todos en un lugar en la casa ya sea en el baño o en el guardaropa,” Salcedo told viewers in one of the Facebook Live videos. “Ahí es donde se puede de alguna manera protegerse, no estar cerca de las ventanas ni de las puertas.”
Salcedo told families to gather in bathrooms or closets, away from windows and exterior doors.
Nashville Noticias has established itself as a critical source of breaking news for Spanish speakers in Middle Tennessee. The news service has continued reporting on the aftermath of the tornados and recovery efforts. It’s also a partner of WPLN News.
But for communities who speak other languages, there appear to be few places to turn.
The Wireless Emergency Alerts that get pushed to cell phones are available in English and Spanish only. That’s according to Krissy Hurley, meteorologist-in-charge for Nashville’s office of the National Weather Service.
Lydia Yousief directs the Elmahaba Center which serves the city’s Arabic speaking population. Yousief said she was unaware of any groups or individuals offering translated information on the tornados to the Arabic-speaking community. Arabic is the third most common language in Tennessee.
A spokesperson for Metro’s Office of Emergency Management says the agency is “working to secure a translation service to help all of our residents in real time.” OEM declined to provide further details.
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