Drone Flood Warnings in NYC Draw Mockery for Spanish Translation
New York City officials apologise for unclear Spanish drone flood warning. City's emergency management commissioner vows to prevent future translation errors. Drone messaging initiative targeted flood-prone areas in four boroughs.
The city's emergency management officials have issued an apology for the confusing flood warning delivered in Spanish by drones flying over certain neighbourhoods.
City authorities had highlighted the use of these advanced message-delivery drones in anticipation of flash flooding on Tuesday. However, when a video showing a drone delivering the warning in both English and Spanish circulated widely on social media, users were quick to criticise the pronunciation and clarity of the Spanish version, especially in a city where around a quarter of residents speak Spanish at home.
Critics on social media expressed their disbelief at the poor quality of the Spanish translation, with one user commenting, "How is THAT the Spanish version? It’s almost incomprehensible." Another user questioned, "The city couldn’t find a single person who spoke Spanish to deliver this alert?"
Zach Iscol, the city’s emergency management commissioner, admitted that the flawed translation "shouldn’t have happened" and assured the public that measures were being taken to prevent such errors in the future. He clarified that the issue lay in the recording of the message, not in the translation itself. The message, which was computer-generated, was disseminated in historically flood-prone areas across four of the city’s five boroughs: Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island.
Flash floods pose a significant risk to New Yorkers residing in basement apartments, which can swiftly flood during heavy rainfall. Tragically, eleven individuals lost their lives in basement dwellings in 2021 due to flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida.
The drone messaging initiative was described as a first-of-its-kind pilot project for the city, developed and approved in accordance with standard protocols for public communications. Despite facing criticism, the agency declined to disclose specific changes that would be implemented moving forward.
Mayor Eric Adams was credited with the concept behind the drone messaging initiative, emphasizing the importance of reaching residents effectively with critical notifications to ensure preparedness. Adams, known for his tech-savvy approach, has introduced various innovative technological strategies during his tenure, including using artificial intelligence for multilingual robocalls and employing drones for surveillance purposes.
The city’s police department even considered deploying a robot for patrols at the Times Square subway station, showcasing a commitment to embracing cutting-edge technology for public safety initiatives. However, some recent technological implementations, such as AI-powered scanners in the subway system, have faced scepticism from commuters and potential legal challenges from civil liberties advocates.
New York City officials apologise for unclear Spanish drone flood warning
City's emergency management commissioner vows to prevent future translation errors
Drone messaging initiative targeted flood-prone areas in four boroughs
Source: AP NEWS