The U.S. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are planning to test the national emergency alert system on October 4 at 2:20 PM ET / 1:20 PM CT. The agencies will send a test alert to every iPhone user in the U.S. including other smart phones and cell phones. You can also expect to see the test conducted on radios and TV’s.
The purpose of the test is to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level. In case the Oct. 4 test is postponed, due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, the back-up testing date is Oct. 11.
TODAY: There will be a nationwide emergency alert test on cell phones, wireless devices, radios, and TVs.
2:20 p.m. ET
1:20 p.m. CT
12:20 p.m. MT
11:20 a.m. PT
10:20 a.m. AKT
8:20 a.m. HTInformation from @FEMA_Deanne â¤µï¸ pic.twitter.com/aLSTpvhJzN
— FEMA (@fema) October 4, 2023
The test message will play a loud tone with a message saying: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” These emergency alerts allow local, state, and federal to send Emergency Alerts for public safety, extreme weather, AMBER alerts, and more.
