New York City emergency management officials have issued an apology for a flood warning message delivered in Spanish by drones that was difficult to understand. The incident occurred as the city prepared for expected flash flooding on Tuesday.
City officials had promoted the use of drones for message delivery, but a video circulating on social media showed that the Spanish version of the warning was poorly pronounced, drawing criticism from users. Many pointed out that the pronunciation was nearly incomprehensible and questioned why a fluent Spanish speaker was not chosen to deliver the alert.
The city's emergency management commissioner acknowledged the error and assured the public that steps were being taken to prevent such mistakes in the future. The full text of the Spanish message was shared to clarify that the issue was with the recording, not the translation itself.
The computer-generated message was broadcast in flood-prone areas across four of the city's five boroughs, aiming to alert residents to potential dangers, especially those living in basement apartments vulnerable to flash floods.
The drone messaging initiative was described as a first-of-its-kind pilot program for the city, developed and approved through standard protocols. While changes for future communications were not specified, officials emphasized the importance of effective public notifications.
Mayor Eric Adams, known for his tech-savvy approach, was credited with the concept behind the drone messaging effort. His administration has previously explored various technological innovations, including AI-powered robocalls and drone surveillance for public safety purposes.
Despite some skepticism and criticism surrounding the city's tech initiatives, officials remain committed to leveraging technology to enhance emergency preparedness and public safety in New York City.
