On Wednesday, October 4, 2023, around 1:20 Central Time, cell phones, T.V’s, and radios across the country will Blare an alert as part of a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System. While it may be a bit jarring, the alerts are only a test. There is no reason to panic. The message will state “ THIS IS A TEST OF THE NATIONAL WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM. NO ACTION IS NEEDED’. If the October 4th test is postponed due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, a backup test date has been set for October 11, 2023.