BILLINGS – This week there is going to be a test, but not the kind you have to study for. And attendance is mandatory.
That’s because the test is actually an alert that will ring on Montanans’ phones similar to a text message with a notification sound.
On Wednesday at 12:18 p.m., cell phone towers from around the nation will broadcast a WEA, or Wireless Emergency Alert, straight to Montana phones.
The action will sound similar to an Amber Alert, except this one is coming from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the message will have a header that reads “Presidential Alert” telling recipients it’s a test.
The system is a way to warn the public about dangerous weather, missing children and other critical situations.
This alert was supposed to go out back in September, but the test was pushed back to Wednesday due to Hurricane Florence.
— story by Andrea Lutz – MTN News
