If you get an emergency alert on your phone, television or radio Wednesday (Oct. 4, 2023), it will only be a test as FEMA Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts are testing a new warning system.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will test its national emergency alert systems at 2:20 p.m. Eastern Time Wednesday. It will last a full minute.
IMPORTANT: On Wednesday, Oct. 4th at 2:20 p.m. ET, there will be a nationwide emergency alert test on cell phones, wireless devices, radios, and TVs.
This is a standard test that occurs at least once every three years. No action is needed.
Info & FAQs: https://t.co/KKyrIr4e03 pic.twitter.com/xDW92DwcAy
— FEMA (@fema) October 2, 2023
The purpose of Wednesday’s test is to ensure that the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level. In case the October 4 test is postponed due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, the back-up testing date is the following Wednesday, October 11.
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FEMA says that all wireless phones should get the test message only once. In English, it will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” In Spanish, it will be “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.” For people with disabilities, the alerts are accompanied by a unique tone and vibration.
The TV and radio message will say: “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.”
