NYC Office:Emergency text message statewide in New Jersey on Friday

Get ready for an alert from the government on your phone on Thursday.
The New York City Office of Emergency Management and the federal government are sending out a test over the Wireless Emergency Alert System.
It will be sent to mobile phones ofto AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon customers in New York City sometime between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency says the messages will look similar to a text message and may be accompanied by audible alerts regardless of the user’s ring tone or volume settings.
A notification will be displayed on the screen with text that reads: “Severe Alert” or “Extreme Alert.” Users will see the following test alert when they open the WEA message: “This is a test from NYC Office of Emergency Mgmt. Test Message 1. This is only a test.” Some WEA‑capable mobile devices may receive more than one message, according to NYC officials.
The test is part of the new system that allows the government to send messages directly to mobile phones. They do note that some phones are not able to receive the message.
Phones can receive up to three classes of text-based alerts, such as Presidential, Imminent Threat (e.g., tornado), and Amber Alerts under rules adopted by the Federal Communications Commission.


It is possible that messages broadcasts over the cellular network may be received by enabled cell phones in the State of New Jersey. This event will be just a test, and not a real emergency alert.
Cellular phone customers who have questions about the technology should contact their mobile phone service provider’s customer service number. Customer service representatives have been informed of the new technology and are aware of the test.