Did your phone get an emergency alert test? Here's what to know
Did you hear that?
Cellphones all over the country rang out an emergency alarm Wednesday afternoon as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's national emergency alert test. FEMA, along with the Federal Communications Commission, broadcast the alert to cellphones, televisions and radios starting at 2:20 p.m. ET Wednesday.
The test, which makes sure the United States' Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts are working properly, will last for 30 minutes.
Here's what to know about the alert.
What is the national emergency alert test?
Wednesday's national emergency alert test evaluated the country's Emergency Alert System, called EAS, and Wireless Emergency Alerts, called WEA. The EAS test alerted radios and televisions, while the WEA alert notified cellphones.
Starting around 2:20 p.m. ET, cellphones rang out with an alert tone, similar to the sound that accompanies Amber Alerts and National Weather Service warnings. The alert also caused cellphones to vibrate and show a message: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
The cellphone alert tone should have only played once and lasted seconds. On some devices, the tone stops after a user clicks a button, FEMA said. The alert does not disrupt cellphone operations.
The message was displayed in English or Spanish, depending on your phone's language settings.
During the EAS test, a similar message was sent to participating radio and TV broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television and wireline video providers.
TVs and radios tuned to a broadcast station should have played the message for about one minute, which said: “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 14:20 to 14:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.”
Why is there a nationwide alert?
Emergency alerts are used to notify Americans about public emergencies, especially those that impact people on a national level. Wednesday's test works to ensure that both the EAS and WEA alert systems are working properly.
Will computers get the emergency alert?
No. The emergency alert test was only sent to cellphones, TVs and radios.
Why didn't I get the emergency alert?
According to FEMA, your cellphone may not have received the emergency alert if:
It was turned off during the test.
It was on airplane mode.
It is not WEA-compatible, or your wireless provider does not participate in WEA.
It was not within range of an active cell tower.
When is the next emergency alert test?
FEMA is required to conduct nationwide tests of its public alert and warning systems at least once every three years.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Did your phone get a national alert? Here's what to know
