Alert: Don’t be alarmed if your phone starts screeching at you on Aug. 11

FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, is conducting a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts on Wednesday afternoon.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency said the national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests begin at 1:20 p.m. on Aug. 11.
The Wireless Emergency Alert portion of the test will be directed only to consumer cell phones where the subscriber has opted-in to receive test messages. The test message will display in either English or in Spanish, depending on the language settings of the wireless handset.
To help ensure that these alerts are accessible to the entire public, including people with disabilities, the alerts are accompanied by a unique tone and vibration.
The Emergency Alert System portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions.
The test is intended to ensure public safety officials have the methods and systems that will deliver urgent alerts and warnings to the public in times of an emergency or disaster.