The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) conducted a nationwide test of the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) on October 3, 2018. The test was postponed from September 20 because of the severe weather on the East Coast.
The WEA system is used to warn the public about dangerous weather, missing children, and other critical situations through alerts on cell phones. The national test uses the same special tone and vibration as with all WEA messages (i.e. Tornado Warning, AMBER Alert). Users cannot opt out of receiving the WEA test.
This first national WEA test message was sent to cell phones connected to wireless providers participating in WEA, with a header reading “Presidential Alert” and the text, “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
Sonoma County in California tested its emergency alert on September 10 and 12 before the nationwide drill for WEA. The system is being tested because residents complained about inadequate warnings during firestorms last October. The Sonoma County’s former emergency manager didn’t use WEA during the fires because he was unsure whether or not it could be used in an area smaller than the entire county. The county is now confident that the alerts can go to targeted areas, but is requesting feedback from the public following the tests.
Denver conducted its first test of WEA on September 5 to make sure the system is working properly and to create public awareness. The test went to about one million people in the Denver area.