As WLT Report previously covered, FEMA will conduct a nationwide alert broadcast on cellphones, TVs and radios all across the United States.
The test will be initiated at 2:20 PM ET and should last anywhere between a couple of minutes to 30 minutes.
All U.S. cell phone users will receive a “text message in either English or in Spanish, depending on the language settings of the wireless handset.”
Here’s how social media is reacting to the news:
FEMA is conducting a nationwide emergency alert system test on Wednesday. Russia is also conducting emergency tests this week to prepare for nuclear blasts. That’s JUST a coincidence though, right? Nothing to worry about, right???
— Glenn Beck (@glennbeck) October 3, 2023
The FEMA alarm is going off for thirty minutes straight tomorrow? pic.twitter.com/vv5Z8pKUAD
— An0maly (@LegendaryEnergy) October 3, 2023
If you’re worried FEMA sending a test signal to your phone tomorrow at 2:20pm just do this. pic.twitter.com/Bba2H5ghRC
— TF (@tonyflowPR) October 3, 2023
Per CBS:
Your electronic devices may alarm you on Wednesday — but there’s a reason for that.
A nationwide test of the federal emergency alert system will be broadcast at approximately 2:20 p.m. EDT to cellphones, televisions and radios across the United States.
The test will occur simultaneously across time zones, so people in the middle of the country can expect it at 1:20 p.m. Central Time, or 12:20 p.m. Mountain Time. On the West Coast it will be at 11:20 a.m. Pacific Time. In most of Alaska it’s at 10:20 a.m., and in Hawaii, 8:20 a.m. local time.
Most Americans with wireless cellular devices will receive an emergency alert message on their phones, as will most whose televisions or radios are on when the test occurs.
REMINDER: FEMA Alert System Will Sound Alarm and Send Emergency Alert on EVERY Cellphone, TV, and Radio on October 4th at 2:20 PM ET https://t.co/M3CaVhcN84
— Brad Porcellato (@BradPorcellato) October 4, 2023
Here’s what FEMA shared:
FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts(WEA) tomorrow, Oct. 4.
The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests are scheduled to begin at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 4.
The WEA portion of the test will be directed to consumer cell phones. This will be the third nationwide test, but the second test to all WEA-compatible cellular devices. The test message will display in either English or in Spanish, depending on the language settings of the wireless handset.
The EAS portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions. This will be the seventh nationwide EAS test.
FEMA and the FCC are coordinating with EAS participants, wireless providers, emergency managers and other stakeholders in preparation for this national test to minimize confusion and maximize the public safety value of the test.
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