Next week FEMA will conduct a nationwide test of its emergency notification systems.

The testing is set for Wed., Oct. 4 at 1:20 p.m. and will assess the effectiveness of FEMA’s Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA).

The EAS portion will be sent to radios and televisions while the WEA messaging will be directed to cellphones.

All wireless phones should receive the message onlyonce. The following can be expected from the nationwide WEA test:

  • Beginning at approximately 1:20 p.m. CT, 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.”

Important information about the EAS test:

  • 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.
  • The test message will be like the regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar. It will state: “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 1:20 to 1:50 p.m. CT. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.

The purpose of the Oct. 4 test is to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level. In case the Oct. 4 test is postponed due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, the backup testing date is Oct. 11. 

For more information, you can read FEMA’s press release here:

FEMA and FCC Plan Nationwide Emergency Alert Test for Oct. 4, 2023 | FEMA.gov