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Coverage dated October 1, 2023 to October 3, 2023

Nationwide emergency alert test sent to mobile phones, TV Wednesday

Headline from Fox5 Atlanta, on the newest of 2 developments

If your cellphone was on at 2:20 p.m. Eastern time you should have heard a loud noise and seen a message flash across your screen.

Fox5 Atlanta's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Developments in this update

2 dated developments, oldest first, newest marked. Each is named by one outlet's own headline; open its reports to see every outlet that covered it.

  1. Federal government to conduct nationwide emergency alert test Wednesday via mobile phones, cable TV

    Headline from Omaha World-Herald ·

  2. Newest

    Nationwide emergency alert test sent to mobile phones, TV Wednesday

    Headline from Fox5 Atlanta ·

Read the reports

Reports & sources

68 articles, oldest first.

  1. ABC 7 New York

    Emergency Alert System test to hit phones, radios, TVs on Wednesday. Here's what you can expect (opens ABC 7 New York)

    Published

    ABC 7 New York's feed description

    Please do not be alarmed, remain calm, do not panic. The blaring noise you'll hear from your phone on Wednesday is just a test. Here's what to know.

  2. PhillyVoice

    FEMA to send emergency alert test message to all US cell phones, radios and TVs on Wednesday (opens PhillyVoice)

    Published

    PhillyVoice's feed description

    The federal agency says the purpose of the test, which begins at 2:20 p.m., is to ensure that its systems are effective in warning the public about national emergencies

  3. CBS News

    An emergency alert test will sound Oct. 4 on all U.S. cellphones, TVs and radios. Here's what to expect. (opens CBS News)

    Published

    CBS News's feed description

    On Wednesday, Oct. 4, FEMA and the FCC will launch a nationwide test of the emergency alert system.

  4. Deadline

    What Was That Emergency Alert On My Phone? FEMA & FCC Test Nationwide Alert To Cellular Devices, TVs & Radios October 4 (opens Deadline)

    Published

    Deadline's feed description

    While Americans are getting increasingly used to emergency alerts from local police and fire officials, on October 4 at 2:20 p.m. ET they’ll receive something a little different. “THIS …

  5. Tucson

    Things to know about the emergency alert test hitting phones Wednesday afternoon (opens Tucson)

    Published

    Tucson's feed description

    If you hear a screeching alert go off on your cell phone — and everyone else’s cell phone — this Wednesday at 2:20 pm ET, don’t panic.

  6. The Week

    What to expect from the nationwide emergency alert system test (opens The Week)

    Published

    The Week's feed description

    The US government is testing the system's abilities with an alert to all cell phones, TVs and radio stations

  7. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

    Cellphones, TVs and radios will get an emergency alert will on Oct. 4th. Here's why (opens NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth)

    Published

    NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth's feed description

    FEMA and the FCC will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts on Oct. 4. Here's what you need to know

  8. People

    Why Everyone Is Getting an Emergency Alert on Their Phones on Wednesday (opens People)

    Published

    People's feed description

    Emergency alert sounds will simultaneously impact cellphones, radios and televisions across the United States on Wednesday — but don’t worry, it’s just a test

  9. KESQ Palm Springs

    Nationwide emergency alert test set for this morning at 11:20 a.m. What to expect on your cellphone (opens KESQ Palm Springs)

    Published

    KESQ Palm Springs's feed description

    FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct a nationwide test of the emergency alert system on Wednesday afternoon. The test is set for approximately 11:20 p.m. PT, during which an alert will be sent out on all cellphones, televisions, and radios.

  10. WHEC Rochester

    Federal government to conduct nationwide emergency alert test Wednesday via mobile phones, cable TV (opens WHEC Rochester)

    Published

    WHEC Rochester's feed description

    The federal government will be testing its nationwide emergency alert system. The test happens Wednesday at 2:20 p.m. Eastern time. Mobile customers whose phones are on will hear an alert, their phones will vibrate and then a message will flash across their screens about the test.

  11. Brainerd Dispatch

    FEMA and FCC plan nationwide emergency alert test for Oct. 4 (opens Brainerd Dispatch)

    Published

    Brainerd Dispatch's feed description

    The alert will happen at 1:20 p.m.

  12. CNET

    Warning: Nationwide Emergency Alert Test Is Happening Tomorrow on Your Phones, TVs (opens CNET)

    Published

    CNET's feed description

    Heads up: Radios, phones and TVs across the US will be hit with an emergency message on Wednesday.

  13. Variety

    U.S. Emergency Alert Test Will Hit Smartphones, TV and Radio on Oct. 4 (opens Variety)

    Published

    Variety's feed description

    FEMA and the FCC on Oct. 4 will conduct a test of the U.S.'s emergency alert systems that span wireless phones, TVs and radios.

  14. Minneapolis Star Tribune

    Don't panic if your cellphone blares an alert 1:20 p.m. on Wednesday. It's just a test. (opens Minneapolis Star Tribune)

    Published

    Minneapolis Star Tribune's feed description

    The federal government will be conducting a nationwide test of its emergency alert systems.

  15. New York Post

    Emergency test set to blast phones — and conspiracy theorists are on high alert (opens New York Post)

    Published

    New York Post's feed description

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency will test its blaring Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts on Wednesday afternoon. Some people are worried.

  16. The Buffalo News

    This is only a test: Federal government will test its emergency alert system Wednesday (opens The Buffalo News)

    Published

    The Buffalo News's feed description

    Every cellphone in America capable of receiving text messages will get one on Wednesday afternoon.

  17. The Guardian

    Emergency alert to be tested on US cellphones, TV and radio on Wednesday (opens The Guardian)

    Published

    The Guardian's feed description

    Test by Federal Emergency Management Agency scheduled for 2.20pm eastern time

  18. NPR

    A nationwide emergency alert test is coming to your phone on Wednesday (opens NPR)

    Published

    NPR's feed description

    The federal government will test the emergency alert system by sending messages to millions of cellphones, TVs and radios. Prepare for your phone to emit loud sounds and vibrations.

  19. Washington Post

    An emergency alert will hit phones Wednesday. Here’s what to expect. (opens Washington Post)

    Published

    Washington Post's feed description

    Don’t be alarmed by the emergency phone, radio and TV warnings. They are a FEMA and FCC test of the national alert systems. Here’s what to expect.

  20. Deseret News

    A nationwide emergency alert test will ping your phone on Wednesday. Here’s what to expect (opens Deseret News)

    Published

    Deseret News's feed description

    This is your friendly reminder that the federal government will be conducting an emergency alert test on phones nationwide on Wednesday.

  21. Bangor Daily News

    Don't freak out when you get an emergency alert (opens Bangor Daily News)

    Published

    Bangor Daily News's feed description

    While these emergency alerts are frequently used in targeted areas to alert people, Wednesday's test is being done across the country.

  22. Fox5 Atlanta

    Nationwide emergency alert test sent to mobile phones, TV Wednesday (opens Fox5 Atlanta)

    Published

    Fox5 Atlanta's feed description

    If your cellphone was on at 2:20 p.m. Eastern time you should have heard a loud noise and seen a message flash across your screen.

  23. KVIA El Paso

    Nationwide emergency alert test expected Wednesday (opens KVIA El Paso)

    Published

    KVIA El Paso's feed description

    The federal government will be conducting a nationwide test of the emergency alert system at 12:20 PM Wednesday.

  24. Honolulu Star-Advertiser

    Nationwide emergency alert test set for Wednesday on phones, TV (opens Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

    Published

    Honolulu Star-Advertiser's feed description

    WASHINGTON >> “THIS IS A TEST”: If you have a cell phone or are watching television Wednesday, that message will flash across your screen as the federal government tests its emergency alert system used to tell people about emergencies.

  25. CNN

    America's national emergency alert test is coming to your phone at 2:20 pm ET today: Here's what you need to know (opens CNN)

    Published

    CNN's feed description

    Today is the day for the US government’s big emergency alert drill, which will send a test message to every TV, radio and cell phone in the nation.

Showing the first 25 of 42 headlines. ·

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.

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