Emergency Alert System Test at Noon Today – This is Just a Test

Don't freak out if all of your favorite TV shows and radio stations start sounding EAS warning beeps during your lunch hour today. Around noon (2PM Eastern) TV and radio stations across the county should be broadcasting first nation-wide test of the Emergency Alert System.

The, "This is a test," message should last 3 minutes or less and be seen and heard on every broadcast, cable and satellite radio and television station.

The purpose of the test is to assess the reliability and effectiveness of the EAS as a public alert mechanism. EAS Participants currently participate in state-level monthly tests and local-level weekly tests, but no top-down review of the entire system has ever been undertaken. -FCC

Read more about the test and the Emergency Alert System from the FCC or from FEMA.

Don't stress; it's only a test.