CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Spanish radio station is knocking down language barriers when it comes to emergency weather alerts, which are top of mind during hurricane season. 

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. 

Currently, the National Weather Service in North Carolina doesn’t provide wireless emergency alerts in Spanish. 

WOLS-FM (106.1), which is owned by Norsan Media, is one of the stations that provides the vital information to listeners in Spanish via the La Raza network. 

Drako Hernandez is one of the hosts of the morning show, Los Hijos de La Mañana. The program brings laughter, music and weather to listeners across North Carolina. 

“If you can improve someone’s gloomy mood and help them have a happy day, I think that’s important,” Hernandez said. 

Hernandez became interested in radio at a young age after a radio host wished him a happy birthday.

“It was so beautiful and dreamy that I thought I want to be on the radio,” Hernandez said. 

He’s bilingual but prioritized speaking in Spanish for his career. 

He uses his bilingual skills when there is an emergency weather alert. Usually the station receives an audible alert first. 

Hernandez also receives emergency weather alerts on his cellphone, which are in English. He translates them into Spanish to share with listeners. 

“It’s crucial, you have to say it right away,” Hernandez said. 

The National Weather Service in North Carolina relies on Spanish outlets like La Raza to share this important information. 

Hernandez said it’s part of his training and also his service to the community. 

“I need to give this information to people as if they were my family,” Hernandez said. 

La Raza broadcasts in 16 cities in the U.S., including Charlotte, Wilmington, Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point. 

Norsan Media disseminates weather alerts throughout its TV stations, digital newspaper and social media platforms.