UPDATE: NATIONWIDE EAS TEST ON NOVEMBER 9th

As we get close to the nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is working to spread the word to as many members of the public as possible -- so people know what to expect when the test takes place, and no one is caught off guard.

Similar to local emergency alert system tests, during the nationwide test on November 9, an audio message will interrupt television and radio programming indicating: “This is a test.” The nationwide test will last approximately 30 seconds instead of 2-3 minutes, as originally announced. This change has been made to reduce the disruption to the American public, while still maintaining our ability to test the system’s nationwide capabilities.