Message from Jeff Howell, Yancey County Emergency Management: When you receive these messages tomorrow, no action is needed on their part. However, if folks DO NOT receive the message, please have them call this number (828-682-1887) and leave a message with their cell number and the name of their provider.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission are planning to test both the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on Wednesday, October 4, at 2:20 p.m. Eastern. The test will be conducted in two parts, with one set to go to cell phones and the other to radio and TV stations.
FEMA says the alert will have a unique tone and vibration to make the alert accessible to all recipients. Phones should receive the message only one time in the 30 minutes after the test begins on Wednesday.
The purpose of the Oct. 4 test is to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies.
The WEA test will go to Americans’ cell phones and will include one text message that will read, “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” This is just the second test that has gone to all cell phones since the system was established in 2012.
The EAS message, on radio and TV, will state: “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 14:20 to 14:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.”
The Mark Media Group Radio Stations, WTOE and WKYK, actively participate in the Emergency Alert System for testing and alerts on a weekly basis. These stations monitor multiple sources, 24 hours a day, for the reception of the test information. When the test or emergency is received it immediately automatically takes over the “On Air” audio on the “AM” stations, the “FM” stations and the Internet streams.
This nationwide test is scheduled for around 2;20pm on October 4th. Don’t panic, this is a planned test.
