October 3, 2023
Here comes a test of the National Emergency Alert system.
Something loud and jarring is happening tomorrow at 2:20 p.m. eastern and it may freak you out. But don’t worry.
It’s just a test.
FEMA and the FCC are running a nationwide test of the emergency alert system.
That means at 2:20 eastern your TVs and radios are going to sound this alarm
That should last for about a minute.
And at the same time your cell phones will broadcast this alarm
You’ll also get a message that says “this is a test of the national wireless emergency alert system. No action is needed.” The message will also be broadcast in Spanish if your phone settings are set to that language.
So – why is this happening? Well by law, FEMA is required to test the system every three years to make sure it works and continues to be effective in warning all of us about emergencies. And no – this is a nationwide test – all wireless providers are participating and you cannot opt out.
Read more from FEMA about the test here.
FAQ about the test from FEMA here.
