Wednesday, October 4, 2023, beginning at 2:20 pm EST, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA).

The purpose of the national test is to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies.

Test messages will be sent to all tvs, radios, and cell phones.

The nationwide test consists of two parts which occur in conjunction with one another. The two parts will include testing EAS and WEA capabilities. The EAS portion of the test is scheduled to last approximately one minute and will be conducted with the participation of radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers and wireline video providers. For WEA testing, cell towers will broadcast the test for approximately 30 minutes. All wireless phones should receive the message only once.

In case of widespread inclement weather, backup testing date is scheduled for October 11, 2023.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: FEMA.gov)