Rescue planners mindful of Latino growth

RICHMOND - When Tropical Storm Gaston dropped a foot of rain in 2004, rescue workers confronted more than the elements: At one suburban Richmond apartment complex, more than a dozen Spanish-speaking residents couldn't understand warnings not to step into fast-moving flood waters engulfing their homes.

A year earlier, area Red Cross workers discovered Latino parents waiting at school bus stops as Hurricane Isabel approached, unaware of storm dangers.

Virginia Department of Emergency Management officials will better equip the state's Spanish speakers with ListoVirginia.gov, a new Spanish-language Web site offering storm information and tips on preparing for emergencies.

Fliers and hurricane evacuation maps also target the Spanish-speaking community as it balloons along the coast and across the state.

At ListoVirginia, a smiling Latino family appears alongside the tips "Get a Kit," "Make a Plan," and "Stay Informed."

The site, a mirror image of English-language ReadyVirginia.gov, defines "hurricane watch" versus "hurricane warning," and links users to information on road conditions and evacuation methods.

A flier adds tortillas and canned black bean soup to an emergency kit of batteries, water, tape and other items, while pamphlets titled "Guia para casos de huracanes de Virginia" feature a step-by-step guide of hurricane do's and don'ts.

"This is the first time we've kind of had a comprehensive campaign," explained VDEM spokesman Bob Spieldenner, who called it "Hurricane 101" for Latinos.

It's a community with special concerns. Activists estimate up to a third of the state's more than 400,000 Latino residents don't speak English.

In an emergency, they can miss English-language weather warnings. Others misunderstand why police are coming to their homes, explained Sanchita Dasgupta, a program director with Greater Richmond Red Cross.

"If they're asked to evacuate and they're scared to go to a shelter or something like that, they'll just stay back," Dasgupta said.

VDEM was caught off guard when Gaston, expected to bypass the region, instead dumped 14 inches of rain.

At Falling Creek Apartments, in Chesterfield County, flood waters left about 20, primarily Spanish-speaking residents stranded, according to Chesterfield Fire and EMS.

Emergency workers rescued residents by cutting holes in building roofs - but not before some tried to step into the deadly water.

None of the rescuers spoke fluent Spanish.

"It was kind of a wake-up call," Spieldenner said. "We can't rely on (the idea) that everyone speaks English."

That realization comes as the Latino community grows in many Southern states prone to hurricanes.

A 2005 report by the Pew Hispanic Center included Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina among the six Southern states where growth in Latino populations has outpaced the national average.

All are among the states commonly raked by hurricanes and tropical storms.

Their efforts to prepare non-English speakers for emergencies vary.

In the Carolinas and Alabama, Spanish preparation tips are linked to an English-language emergency preparation Web site.

Georgia's emergency Web site offers Spanish-speakers a link to the American Red Cross for preparation tips. The referral is in English.

"What we're doing is, of course, a work in progress," said Buzz Weiss, a spokesman with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency. "We're always continuing to look for ways to improve."
Officials can start by promoting hurricane preparation to children, who can pass the information to non-English speaking parents, said Hector Flores, former national president of the League of United Latin American Citizens. The group has lobbied for better communication to non-English speakers during emergencies - something Flores said has taken on increased importance after Hurricane Katrina.

Latino immigrants often can't afford the Internet, he said, and tend to respond more to radio ads and word of mouth.

"It's got to be a multi approach," he said. "If you're going to try to put out this information, it's not only about the shelf life of something that's printed."

VDEM officials are considering advertisements. For now, they'll work with community groups to distribute 25,000 pamphlets.