If you hear your cell phone alerts going off this afternoon, don’t be alarmed.
FEMA, in coordination with the FCC, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts today. Both tests are scheduled to begin at approximately 1:20 p.m. Iowa time.
The EAS portion of the test will be sent to radios and TVs and should last about one minute.
The WEA portion of the test will be directed to all consumer cell phones. All wireless phones should receive the message only once. The message that appears on your phone will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” To help ensure that these alerts are accessible to the entire public, including people with disabilities, the alerts are accompanied by a unique tone and vibration.
The purpose of today’s test is to ensure that the systems continue to be an effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level.
There is no action required by the public when you hear or receive the alerts today – it is only a test.
