TYLER, Texas — This week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will conduct a nationwide test of its emergency notification systems.
The test is expected to occur Wednesday, Oct. 4, between 1:20-1:50 p.m. CT (2:20-2:50 p.m. ET/11:20-11:50 a.m. PT).
The purpose of the test is to assess the effectiveness of FEMA's Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts.
All cellphones will receive the message only once.
The following can be expected during the test:
- Beginning at approximately 1:20 p.m., CT (2:20 p.m. ET/11:20 a.m. PT) cell towers will broadcast the test for approximately 30 minutes. During this time, WEA-compatible wireless phones that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower, and whose wireless provider participates in WEA, should be capable of receiving the test message.
- For consumers, the message that appears on their phones will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
- Phones with the main menu set to Spanish will display: “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”