Mainers, That National Emergency Alert Test Text is Coming Today

Not to worry Maine, there is no Zombie Apocalypse is coming today!

Don't freak out later, when you get an alert on your phone at exactly 2:20pm, because, as the famous line goes "This is only a test" Obviously, it could be a scary thing if you don't know about it beforehand, so here now, is your official warning.

A National Emergency Alert Test will affect all U.S. iPhones, TV's and radios, when FEMA and the FCC will be holding a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, and Wireless Emergency Alerts, this afternoon.

The test, is set to take place at 2:20p.m. Eastern Standard Time, and will consist of two portions that will occur at the same time.

Naturally, when things like this occur the conspiracy people come out of the woodworks. Some think the text will signal phones to activate potentially harmful chemicals, or a Y2K type of blackout. Of course these theories are silly, because this is fairly routine.

Here is how it breaks down:

• The EAS section will handle sending the test message to televisions and radios at the time, and will be the seventh cross-U.S. test of its kind.
• The second portion, of WEA, will target all consumer cell phones and smartphones. It will be the second test that will hit all cellular devices.
• Wireless phones should receive a test message accompanied by a unique tone and vibrations. The messages will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
• People listening to radio and television broadcasts will hear a one-minute test message similar to the regular monthly test. It will state: “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by y 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.”

So take a deep breath and relax, because it is just a test!