Emergency alert test to hit all cell phones, TVs, and radios at 2:20 pm ET today [US only]

Nationwide tests of the US Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system will send messages to all TVs, radios, and cell phones today, October 4, starting at around 2:20 pm ET.

The tests are coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Federal Communications Commission. Similar tests were conducted in previous years, including 2021 and 2018.

Today's "national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities," FEMA said yesterday. "The WEA portion of the test will be directed to consumer cell phones. This will be the third nationwide test, but the second test to all WEA-compatible cellular devices. The test message will display in either English or in Spanish, depending on the language settings of the wireless handset."

The goal "is to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level." If today's test is postponed "due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, the backup testing date is Oct. 11."

Cell towers will send message to phones in range

Starting at around 2:20 pm ET, "cell towers will broadcast the test for approximately 30 minutes," FEMA said. "During this time, WEA-compatible wireless phones that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower, and in a geographic area where the wireless provider participates in WEA, should be capable of receiving the test message."

The message will read, "THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed." An alert tone "is generally only played when the alert is initially received by the phone and on some devices stops as soon as the user clicks a button," FEMA said. Each phone should receive the message only once.

The alert to TVs and radios "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," FEMA said. It's the seventh nationwide test of EAS.

In advance of the test, domestic violence groups have warned people who live with their abusers to turn off any hidden phones. "Receiving alerts such as Amber Alerts is a common occurrence for those with a cellphone and is a feature you can turn off through your phone settings for year-round protection from unexpected alerts," the National Network to End Domestic Violence said. "However, this upcoming national test is not an alert that can be disabled or turned off within the device. Therefore, survivors should power off their devices during the test and not schedule phone calls on their hidden cellphone during that time."

According to FEMA, "If a phone is off before the test alert is sent and not turned back on until after the WEA Test expires (approximately 30 minutes), the phone should not get the test message."