Here’s why your cellphone may vibrate and emit a loud tone Wednesday afternoon
Don’t panic if your cellphone startles you with a loud tone and starts vibrating Wednesday afternoon — it’s just a test.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency in coordination with the Federal Communication Commission will test the nationwide Wireless Emergency Alert System and the Emergency Alert System.
The test, which is the first nationwide test for the Wireless Emergency Alert System, will begin at 1:18 p.m. Kansas City time, according to FEMA’s website.
A message box will appear on phones with a loud tone and vibration, similar to the alert cellphones receive for Amber Alerts, extreme weather and other threatening emergencies.
The message will say, “President Alert. THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed”
Unlike general emergency alerts, you cannot opt out of receiving Presidential Alerts. This means that any compatible cellphones that are switched on and within range of an active cell tower should receive the alert.
Some cellphones will not receive the test message, including those not compatible or whose wireless provider doesn’t participate in the alert system.
Cellphones that are set on silent will display a visual message.
At 1:20 p.m., broadcasters and cable provides will test the National Emergency Alert System. This test will last about a minute and will will be similar to the regular monthly test message.
The message will say, “THIS IS A TEST of the National Emergency Alert System. This system was developed by broadcast and cable operators in voluntary cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, and local authorities to keep you informed in the event of an emergency.
“If this had been an actual emergency an official message would have followed the tone alert you heard at the start of this message. A similar wireless emergency alert test message has been sent to all cell phones nationwide. Some cell phones will receive the message; others will not. No action is required.”
The test, which was originally planned for Sept. 20, was postponed due to Hurricane Florence.