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Don’t panic when your phone sounds an alarm today…it is only a test

By
Real Estate Agent with ZOOM Realty Group

Don’t panic when your phone sounds an alarm today…

it is only a test

 

Today, Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 2:18pm EDT, (11:18a.m. for those of you on the West Coast), there will be a test of President Trump’s new Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system.

 

AT 2:18pm Eastern time today, an alert will cause your phone to vibrate and sound a loud alarm so be prepared.

 

 

The purpose of this alert system is to notify as many people as possible if there is a national emergency. These alerts will only be used to notify people of a natural disaster, act of terrorism or other serious threats to public safety. For that reason, you cannot opt out of this test or turn off the alert (as you can with the Amber Alert and Emergency Alerts on your phone).

 

 

The text from the WEA will have “Presidential Alert” in the subject line followed by a message “This is a test of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed”.

 

This alert was originally scheduled for September 20th but was postponed for two weeks due to the emergency from Hurricane Florence.

 

 

Posted by

Diana Zaccaro, PA

Broker Associate

"Your Coastal Connection for Cocoa Beach and the Brevard County Beaches"

Direct: 321.537.7855  - DianaZaccaro@gmail.com

 ZOOM Realty Group

  

 

Show All Comments
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Diana Zaccaro thanks for the heads up....I'll probably still jump!!

Oct 03, 2018 05:46 AM
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

Good morning 

Thank you for sharing your information with us 

Have a great day.

10/03/2018.  

Oct 03, 2018 06:22 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Here in Sacramento, we were once again reminded that we will be receiving these alarms today at 11:18 am Pacific Time

Oct 03, 2018 06:58 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Thanks for the reminder Diana Zaccaro . They announced it here but never gave the time.

Oct 03, 2018 08:22 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Thanks for this alert on this alert, Diana.  I was pretty much out of circulation yesterday and haven't watched any news today, so thanks for the heads up! 

Oct 03, 2018 08:24 AM
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

I am trying to think of where I will be at that time. Probably sitting right here at my desk. It's coming up soon it looks like. -Kasey

Oct 03, 2018 10:23 AM
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
ZOOM Realty Group - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

Barbara Todaro 

I just heard that it will also be on radio and TV and that the cell phone alerts are supposed to be spread out over 30 minutes, probably because it would overload the system to roll it out all on cell phones at once.

 

Oct 03, 2018 11:05 AM
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
ZOOM Realty Group - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTACONDOS.COM 

Thanks, have a good day.

Oct 03, 2018 11:09 AM
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
ZOOM Realty Group - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

Myrl Jeffcoat 

Yes, I just received a text reminding of the alerts. Apparently they will also be on radio and TV so it may get noisy.

Oct 03, 2018 11:11 AM
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
ZOOM Realty Group - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

Bob "RealMan" Timm 

Same here, but apparently the cell alerts start at 2:18 EDT and will be spread out over 30 minutes, if what I heard is accurate. So you may not get the alert exactly at that time. And the alerts will also be on radio and TV.

Oct 03, 2018 11:14 AM
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
ZOOM Realty Group - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

Carol Williams 

You are welcome! I had totally forgotten about it until I read it online last night. Can you imagine the confusion if people who don't know are driving when it goes off? Or in a meeting and all the phones go off at once?

Oct 03, 2018 11:16 AM
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
ZOOM Realty Group - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

Kasey & John Boles 

I am staying put, heard that it will be spread out over 30 minutes on the cell phones so you might get it later. It's also supposed to be on radio and TV.

Oct 03, 2018 11:18 AM
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
ZOOM Realty Group - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

My cell phone just went off! The alert was loud and the text also came through.

Oct 03, 2018 11:20 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Just experienced it while we were driving in the car. I wish we had been somewhere public so we could have heard the alarm go off on many phones at once.

Oct 03, 2018 12:38 PM
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate

Sharon Tara 


I know, right? Can you imagine being in a meeting or CE class with lots of people an all the phones going off at once? 

Oct 04, 2018 12:37 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Diana Zaccaro - I got the alert the other day! It makes more sense to reach a wider audience. We have come a long way when it comes to sending emergency alerts!

May you always be safe!

Oct 10, 2018 11:40 AM
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
ZOOM Realty Group - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

Patricia Feager 

It makes sense to use technology to get the word out but I still was startled when the alert went off, even though I knew it was coming and at what time. If it had gone off unexpectedly, I would have jumped!  And you stay safe as well!

 

Oct 10, 2018 06:48 PM
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