Equality and Inequality in Severe Weather Warnings: A Comparison of English and Spanish Speaking Populations

Abstract

Forecasts and warnings play a crucial role in the National Weather Service's mission to safeguard life and property. To enable individuals to effectively use this information for protective decision-making, it is essential that they receive, comprehend, and respond appropriately to the messages (Ripberger et al. 2019). While numerous studies have explored the reception, understanding, and response of English speakers to tornado forecasts and warnings, limited research has been conducted for Spanish-speaking populations. The predominant issuance of weather warnings in English further elevates the vulnerability of Spanish speakers, particularly when English is not their primary language. Using data from the Severe Weather and Society Survey in both English and Spanish versions (2018-2022), this study evaluates how Spanish speakers' reception, comprehension, and response to forecasts and warnings compare to those of English speakers. The research aims to address the following questions: Are there inequalities between English and Spanish speaking communities? Where do they exist in the reception, understanding, and response process? What can we do to reduce these inequalities? By consolidating these inquiries into a composite scale, we can analyze mean scores and identify potential inequalities between the two groups. Our findings suggest the existence of potential disparities in how English and Spanish speakers receive, understand, and respond to tornado warning information. The study concludes by offering possible explanations and recommendations for addressing these issues.