On Wed., October 4 at approximately 2:20 p.m. Eastern Time, 1:20 p.m. Central Time, an emergency alert test will sound on all U.S. cellphones, TVs and radios. While it is disruptive, there is no need for alarm. It is just a test and no action if required.
You are likely familiar with the jarring sounds accompanying National Weather Service alerts and AMBER (America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response) alerts. Wednesday’s cellphone alerts will be sent via the same wireless system. Wireless phones should receive a text message that reads: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
People listening to radio and television broadcasts will hear a one-minute test message similar to the regular monthly test. It will state: “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.”
If the October 4 test date is postponed, the back-up testing date will be October 11. For additional information, visit FEMA’s website.
