Nationwide Test of the Federal Emergency Alert System Nov. 9

For the first time ever there will be a simultaneous, nationwide multimedia test of the federal Emergency Alert System (EAS) scheduled for 2pm EST on Wednesday Nov, 9, 2011. and will last for up to three and a half minutes.

This EAS test will be broadcast on radio and television stations, cable television, satellite radio and television services and on wire line providers in all states and U.S. territories.

This national alert and warning system was set up to enable the President of
the United States to address the American public during extreme emergencies.

The Nationwide Test is similar to local EAS tests that have been conducted
frequently for many years to test the operation of local emergency alert
systems. These local EAS tests typically last less than one minute and do
not occur on all media simultaneously.

Essentially this means that ALL broadcasts will be interrupted at this time and an audio message will repeat "This is a test" for a period of at least 3 minutes.

Please do NOT call 911 as this is only a test!!

More information can be found at http://www.holmdeloem.org/eas-test.html