If you own a smartphone, expect a text today from FEMA as they test the “Presidential Alert’ system.
Here’s a warning: your phone will make a loud tone.
The message will say, “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
FEMA and the FCC say beginning at 1:18 p.m. CST today your phone will receive the Presidential Alert.
Minutes later, the Emergency Alert System (EAS) will broadcast a similar test message over television, radio, and wireline video services. That will feature a voice that says:
“THIS IS A TEST of the National Emergency Alert System. This system was developed by broadcast and cable operators in voluntary cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, and local authorities to keep you informed in the event of an emergency. If this had been an actual emergency, an official message would have followed the tone alert you heard at the start of this message. A similar Wireless Emergency Alert test message has been sent to all cell phones nationwide. Some cell phones will receive the message; others will not. No action is required.”
The test is part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s system to warn the public in cases of national emergencies. It’s not a political message, but an emergency test message sent from President Donald Trump.
