Phone Making a Loud Noise? Nationwide Test of Emergency Alert System Happening on October 4!
This is only a test!
Federal officials are conducting a nationwide test of their Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts set for 2:20 p.m. EST (11:20 a.m. PST) on Wednesday (October 4).
This is part of their annual effort to ensure that the emergency systems are working properly, FEMA says.
Keep reading to find out more…
The Wireless Emergency Alerts go to mobile phones, while the Emergency Alert System portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions.
Mobile phone users whose phones are on and within range of an active cell tower will receive the national test, called the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.
Wireless providers will transmit the test for 30 minutes, but your phone should receive the alert just once for only seconds, according to federal officials.
Your phone will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
If a person is on the phone at the time of the test, it will not interrupt the call.
The radio and television alert will be a one-minute test, officials said. It will read: “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 14:20 to 14:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.”
Do not be alarmed!