National Test of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts

Submitted by Grays Harbor County Emergency Management

Tomorrow, August 11, 2021 at 11:20 a.m., the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will be conducting a national test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). This will be in addition to the weekly and monthly tests that are performed locally.

Emergency Alert System (EAS)

The EAS is an alert broadcast method in which Local, State, and Federal Emergency Management agencies are able to send emergency broadcasts to all Television and Radio Stations for a selected geographic location. These broadcasts have a unique sound that is heard prior to and after the message. It is important to note that EAS only works on live television/radio and cannot breakthrough streaming services for television, music, etc.

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)

The WEA portion of this test will only occur on consumer cell phones that have opted-in to receive test messages. WEA is an alert broadcast method in which Local, State, and Federal Emergency Management agencies are able to send emergency broadcasts to cell phones for a selected geographic location. The most common type of WEA issued in Grays Harbor County is Amber Alerts.

Opt-in for Apple iPhones: Dial *5005*25371# – Display should state “Test alerts enabled”

Opt-in for Android Phones: Go to settings and search “Emergency Alerts” – turn on State/local test alerts

For more detailed instructions, visit here.

Are you signed up for Grays Harbor County Emergency Alerts? Rave Alert/ Smart911 allows Grays Harbor County Emergency Management to relay critical weather-related information, such as high winds, flooding or tsunami warnings would be transmitted to citizens registered. Don’t miss the next Alert – sign up today! Sign Up – Smart911