51°F
weather icon Mostly Clear

Don’t be alarmed: Emergency alert tests are coming today

Updated October 4, 2023 - 8:36 am

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is sending emergency alerts to cell phones and television and radio stations across the country Wednesday to test alert systems.

FEMA said in a news release it plans to test the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts starting at 2:20 p.m. on Oct. 4.

The WEA portion of alerts will be a short message sent to all cell phones in either English or Spanish, depending on the phone’s language settings, and come with a “unique tone and vibration,” to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities, FEMA said.

The cell phone message will read, “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”

The EAS portion will be broadcast on television and radio stations and last for one minute, FEMA said.

For more information about the alerts, go to fema.gov.

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Biden calls reports of Hamas raping Israelis ‘appalling’

Biden’s comments come as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has sought to put greater focus on the sexual violence it says Hamas committed during the Oct. 7 attack.

Gaza’s 2nd-largest city faces more Israeli strikes

Israel says its forces are “in the heart” of Khan Younis and engaged in the “most intense day” of battles since the ground offensive began.

Families of hostages held by Hamas will meet with Netanyahu

The families have sought to meet with Netanyahu and his wartime Cabinet since a truce deal between Israel and Hamas that saw the release of 105 hostages expired last week.