FILE - In this Jan. 3, 2019 file photo a mobile phone customer looks at an earthquake warning application on their phone in Los Angeles. The warnings produced by the ShakeAlert system will be pushed through two delivery systems: a cellphone app called MyShake and the same wireless notification system that issues Amber Alerts, meaning people may receive both notifications. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)
If you are anywhere near or within earshot of a cellphone, a radio or TV on Wednesday morning, you will hear the jarring sound of an emergency alert.
The nationwide emergency alert test is expected to come at 11:20 a.m. in California, Vacaville Fire Department officials said in a social media post.
If your mobile phone is on and within range of an active cell tower from a participating wireless provider, you should receive the national test.
Wireless providers will transmit the national test for 30 minutes, but your phone should only receive it once.
The message will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
Phones with the main menu set to Spanish will display: “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”
Originally published at Richard Bammer