FEMA to conduct a national alert in the United States

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct their next national emergency test on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at 2:20 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), but on this occasion cell phones will not ring or receive test alerts.

Unlike the massive drill in October 2023, this exercise will evaluate exclusively the Emergency Alert System (EAS) for broadcast media and will exclude the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system intended for mobile devices.

• What will happen with cell phones: Mobile phones will operate normally and will not emit the high-pitched tone or the test vibration. However, the WEA system will remain active in the background in case a real or independent weather emergency occurs that same day.
• Where the alert will sound: The notice will interrupt radio (AM/FM and satellite), broadcast television, cable television, and wireline video service provider transmissions for approximately one minute.
• Message content: It will be broadcast in English and Spanish stating: "This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), covering the United States from 2:20 to 2:50 p.m. (Eastern Time). This is only a test. No action is required by the public."
• Backup date: If severe weather conditions or a real emergency force the exercise to be postponed, the scheduled alternative date is Thursday, December 3, 2026.