Nationwide Test Of Emergency Alert System
FEMA
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) along with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have a nationwide emergency alert test scheduled for Wednesday, August 11 at 2:20 PM.
Test messages will be broadcast on all TV and Radio stations in America, as well as cell phones that have opted in to receive emergency messages.
The purpose of this test is to ensure that the alert systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level. Periodic testing of public alert and warning systems helps to assess the operational readiness of alerting infrastructure and to identify any needed technological and administrative improvements.
The Emergency Alert System national test is very similar to regular weekly or monthly tests originated by state authorities that are mandatory to run. During the test, radios and televisions across the country will interrupt normal programming to play the test message. Normal programming should return within a minute or two.
The last national test alert was conducted in October of 2018. More information on the August 11 test can be found here.