Boone County News Release
For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Hannah Wichern, Mitigation and Recovery Specialist
Office of Emergency Management
Phone: (573) 554-7900
Email: HWichern@boonecountymo.org
Boone County Residents to Receive Nationwide Emergency Alert Test
October 2, 2023 –The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has scheduled a nationwide test activating the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). The testing will begin on October 4, 2023, at 1:20 p.m. If severe weather or other significant events occur on that date, testing will be rescheduled to October 11 at the same time.
The WEA test will be directed as a text message to all citizens’ cell phones and will be displayed in either English or Spanish, depending on the language settings of the cell phone. Citizens who have opted out of receiving emergency alerts will not receive the text message. The EAS test will be sent to radios and televisions in Boone County.
According to FEMA, “the purpose of the nationwide test is to ensure that the alerting systems are an effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on a national level.”
The Boone County Office of Emergency Management will still conduct the monthly test of the Outdoor Warning Siren (OWS) system at noon on October 4, 2023, unless severe weather conditions occur.
For further information, please contact the Office of Emergency Management at 573-554-7900.
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