Expect a Presidential Alert to Your Phone Wednesday Afternoon

It's only a test!

Wednesday, at 2:18 p.m. most of those with a cell phone [connected to a provider] will receive a 'Presidential Alert.' The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) along with the Federal Communications (FCC) have coordinated to do a national test in case there were an actual emergency. According to the press release,

The test will assess the operational readiness of the infrastructure for distribution of a national message and determine whether improvements are needed.

This is the first Wireless Emergency Alert test. The text will read:

THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.

An EAS test will run afterwards at 2:20 p.m.

A WEA would be sent out in situations regarding dangerous weather, missing children and anything that poses a national threat, like a zombie outbreak (kidding). It'll be the same 'tone' as when an Amber Alert comes through.