A test of the nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) is planned for Wednesday, October 4, 2023. The purpose of this test is to make sure everything is working properly in the event of a natural disaster or other calamity. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, along with the Federal Communications Commission wants to make sure that the national alert system remains the most effective way to warn all citizens about national emergencies.
What time?
The same message will go out at the same time in every time zone across the United States. If you’re in the Eastern Time Zone, you’ll receive the message at 2:20 in the afternoon; Central Time is 1:20 p.m.; Mountain Time is 12:20 p.m.; and 11:20 a.m. Pacific Time. Alaskan residents will hear the alert at 10:20 a.m. and alarms will sound in Hawaii at 8:20 a.m.
Where will we hear it?
Short answer: Everywhere! All radio and television broadcasters, cable, and satellite TV providers will broadcast the message as will wireless video providers. Yes, this means that television shows will be interrupted, as will radio programming. Cell phones will also receive the warning test message via a code.
What’s the message?
The emergency message will be broadcast in English and/or Spanish and is scheduled to last about one minute. It will be a single warning, with no repeat of the message given. The alert will begin with the distinctive electronic warning tone of an emergency alert. Here’s the message you’ll hear and/or see following the warning tone:
“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.”
Why now?
The last nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System took place on November 9, 2011. That test revealed problematic issues that have since been addressed along with other updates and improvements to the system. October 4th’s test will ensure that everyone in the United States receives timely national emergency warnings that may happen in the future.
Learn more in the press release.
##RVT1123b
I have all of those annoying messages/alerts turned off on my Android device. Will this silliness override my settings?
I do believe that yes, this alert will override any/all Do Not Disturb settings. About the only one it cannot override is fully powering down the device.
The REASON for testing is not only testing the SYSTEM and where it does not go, but also to get USERS TO RECOGNIZE the alarm or test for what it is. A fire with fire alarm does no good if everyone running around saying “what is that annoying noise”. We are talking only seconds of your precious life, but in emergencies, sometimes seconds count.
Thank you for the good explanation of what will happen and why.
Siri, please turn off all alerts on my phone.
I know this is highly unlikely, what if someone didn’t have a cell phone or other device and was working in a remote area how will they get the warning?
I guess they won’t. Too bad.
As a former broadcaster, I will say that these tests performed on a local, state and federal level do have a purpose. They are conducted to ensure the system functions as it’s intended, to inform people of any emergency that would or could affect them. I will also say that some of the tests reveal problems in the network, some of those required to maintain the equipment necessary don’t abide by those standards and/or have defective equipment.
There are many who float ‘conspiracy theories’ that maintain this test will be something entirely different than the usual ‘Test Message’. I heard those ideas when we had the last ‘National Alert Test’. Nothing nefarious occurred that time, and I suspect it won’t be different this time… (But you never know these days…)
Sorry I have trouble understanding the negative comments to this article. It is a one-minute annoyance – if you view it as an annoyance.
There are multiple reasons why we want a simultaneous nationwide alert system to work – all the reasons are necessary, but none of them are good.
Once upon a time, one of my work responsibilities was to test the fire systems for a hospital. The tests were unannounced, quarterly for each shift – so twelve times a year. The only people given advanced warning (and only minutes) were operating rooms actively doing surgeries. Everybody currently working cussed me out. The same people coming up to me during breaks sincerely wanting to know if there were any noted problems. Their and their patients’ lives depended on my tests.
And if our gov doesn’t take a minute out of our important day to test something that could be lifesaving, then the naysayers will complain that our gov didn’t do enough.
Not everything is a conspiracy.
Might interrupt a nap.
Thank you for the heads up, Gail!
Think and Remember 9-1-1 in NY, DC and PA! That’s what the national system is about! It will advise of the situation and direct population activities with safety, shelter and survival information. (Yes, i remember WWII and the Korean war and home bomb shelters too!)
A quick note for those who will be in Arizona during this test: since most of the state doesn’t observe Daylight Saving Time, the alert may sound at 11:20 local time. It’s not clear from FEMA notices if DST will be observed in this test, or if it’s simply being done nationwide at the exact same time. Either way, it’s a good thing to test.
Thank you, Gail! Curious to see if it makes it out in the country. I usually leave my cell phone at home when working around the farm. Thankfully, nothing is set to record while the test takes place. 🙂
Living in flat Florida, my biggest fear now is a submarine landslide in the Canary Islands generating a 200 ft tsunami. Sorry Bahamians but I hope and pray that the Bahamas cause enough shoaling to reduce the size to survivable levels.
Waste of my money.