On October 3, everyone in the U.S. received a message from the Trump Administration on their phone as part of a test by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The test of the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and Emergency Alert System (EAS) hit more than 225 million cellphone users at 2:18 Eastern Standard Time— and there was no way to opt out.
The alert was similar to other WEAs which include AMBER alert for missing children and Tornado Warnings. Future presidential alerts could be used to warn U.S. residents of terrorist attacks, dangerous weather and other national emergencies.
Cellphones that were turned on, near a cell tower, and whose carriers receive WEAs, received Wednesday’s alert.
The original test was slated for September 20, but had to be postponed because of ongoing Hurricane Florence efforts.
