On Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 11:20 a.m., the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) and Emergency Alert System (EAS). The wireless alert portion of the test will be directed to all consumer cell phones and will be similar to Amber and severe weather alerts.
When your phone starts making noise that morning, just be calm. It’s a test, it’s only a test. The test message will display in either English or in Spanish, depending on the language settings of the wireless handset.
The Emergency Alert System portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions. The purpose of the Oct. 4 test is to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level.
