I was changing chanels on the T.V. and I say In big letters Emergency Alert System,nothing else but that,then across the top of the screen (going real fast)were the name of the counties and date and time next to them.The date was the 12th,todays date.The screen went blank and then a normal program came on.I have never seen this before.What is going on?

I live in tornado country and this is not the season for them and even if it were it would not be this kind of message.

-- Maggie (aaa@aaa.com), October 13, 1999

Answers

This is a test... this is only a test. In the event of an actual emergency, the tone you just heard would be followed by important information (I can't remember the rest)... Remember, this is only a test...

-- Sam Mcgee (weissacre@gwtc.net), October 13, 1999.

But why now?It'like their testing the message,so when they need to use it later ,they will know it's set to go.What I'm wondering about is,what emgency is this message set to go for.

-- Maggie (aaa@aaa.com), October 13, 1999.

Maggie -

Depending on how old you are, this is the updated version of the old Emergency Broadcast System that was set up during the cold war as an early warning system in case of nuclear attack. If we were attacked, stay tuned to this station and periodic updates and what-to-do's would be broadcast over that particular station. I've been kinda curious as hadn't heard any of these "This is a test, it is only a test" things for a long time. They used to say the "This is only a test" thing and then there would be a long sort of buzzer noise and then silence for 30 seconds or so at which time they would announce returning to your regular programming. It is very curious that they are starting this up again. I have been wondering if they are doing this so if the grid should happen to go down, the radio/TV stations would only broadcast intermittant messages as to where to go for the nearest shelter or warming station or whatever they are calling them.

-- Valkyrie (anon@please.xnet), October 13, 1999.

I remember something like you are talking about---the sound first then sying this is only a test.This only had Emergency Alert System and the letters for it,I don't remember anything saying it was a test nor hearing anyone speak at all.When the counties,dates and time were racing across the screen,it was really odd because they went so fast I could hardly read it.

It could be for shelter info in case the eletric went out,but I think something more on the order of what to do in case of real sudden danger and you would only have a short time to take whatever precautions they tell you to do.I just didn't like the feeling I got when I say it.

-- Maggie (aaa@aaa.com), October 13, 1999.

No electricity, no TV. If they sent messages for shelter info., the only people who would see them are those who wouldn't need sheltering (unless you have a battery operated TV). It could be a test by local Emergency Management using new equipment--checking to see if it works or not. EAS announcements can be used to warn people about tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, blizzards, and any number of man-made disasters. Most likely its an equipment check, though.

-- Sam Mcgee (weissacre@gwtc.net), October 13, 1999.

Thanks Sam,

I am going to switch from an overload of coffee at night to hot cocoa.

What you said sounds right,thanks again.

-- Maggie (aaa@aaa.com), October 13, 1999.

Valkyrie,

They changed it because we (well most people not me) became immune to it. They never stopped having it, trust me, I was very aware of it all of these years. I was programmed from early childhood in the fine art of expecting a nuclear attack. (Maybe that is why I am naturally "prepared" all of my life) When I was young we used to practice crouching under our desks at school in case a bomb was dropped. (snicker.. as if THAT would do any good!). This could be why so many people my age accept the possibility of TEOTWAWKI, they too have been "programmed" to expect something like this (Y2K) to happen. Younger people who grew up without this fear are less susceptible to the the possibility of their world changing so drastically.

-- Cherri (sams@brigadoon.com), October 13, 1999.

Cherri....you're telling on yourself!(grin) Do you remember Howdy Doody, Lambchop, Topo Jito, Buffalo Bob, Commando Cody, Soupy Sales, Hoppity Hooper, Captain Kangaroo, Grandfather Clock, Mr. Greenjeans, et al?

-- Jay Urban (jurban@berenyi.com), October 13, 1999.

Maggie, I have noticed an inordinate amount of testing of the Emergency Alert System on cable in my area. It used to be tested about once a month. Now there is testing almost every late night and sometimes in the daytime. Sometimes it is with the audio, sometimes with just a visual alert. Also, sometimes there is a "crawl" with local counties scrolling across the bottom of the screen. Sometimes the background screen color is green and sometimes it is red. Sometimes the alert is only designated as a test of the Emergency Alert System, sometimes it refers to NOAA Weather. To me, it's pretty obvious there is serious testing being done.

I just don't know if that is good news or bad news... sigh...

-- Little Flower (teefleur@yahoo.com), October 13, 1999.

This is a test. THIS IS ONLY A TEST. IF this had been an ACTUAL emergency we sould ahve gotten our asses out of this urban television studio at the first sign of civic unrest. If this had been and ACTUAL emergtency this station would have been off the air by now.

-- SH (Squirrel@hunter.com), October 13, 1999.