Nation reacts to Emergency Alert System test going off two minutes early

People all over the United States are reacting to FEMA‘s Emergency Alert System test going off two minutes early. The government told citizens to prepare for the alert to go off at 2:20 p.m.

Phones and television systems displayed the alert, and the Emergency Alert System and the Wireless Emergency Alert both went off.

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FEMA released a list of frequently asked questions on Wednesday ahead of the nationwide testing of the federal emergency messaging system. The FAQ said that it would go off at 2:20 p.m. Instead, the alert went off at 2:18 p.m. and surprised people who had prepared for the loud beeping sound all day.

The alert hit during a Senate GOP press conference and could be heard echoing throughout the halls.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) joked about the alert to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

“I only respond when there’s an emergency,” Capito said, causing several to laugh. “It’s going to be going for a while … Leader, are we alright?”

McConnell just laughed and shrugged, saying, “When does it stop?”

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre pretended to adjourn the daily press briefing after the alert went off.

“Oh, there you go. OK, thanks everybody!” Jean-Pierre quipped. “It works.”

Several people and companies began posting memes and reactions to the early alert on social media.

Some X users posted a familiar meme of Kevin James smirking that has been used by influencers and Capitol Hill lawmakers alike to poke fun at the government for the early alert.

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FEMA said the purpose of the test was to ensure that the systems “continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level.” A backup testing date was set for Oct. 11 if the alert failed to go off on Wednesday.

Since 2015, FEMA has been required by federal law to test the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System at least once every three years. Wednesday marked the seventh nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System. Six previous tests were conducted over the years between November 2011 and August 2021. Wednesday also was the third nationwide test of wireless alerts, and it was the second nationwide test transmitted to all cell phones, according to a statement from FEMA.