National Wireless Emergency Alert System

National Wireless Emergency Alert System

Feds send first emergency message test to cell phones

If you have a cell phone, it probably buzzed and beeped loudly Wednesday afternoon around 2:18 p.m. ET.

"Presidential Alert," the screen said. "THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed."

It's the first nationwide test of the system built by the federal government and cell phone carriers to warn Americans of an emergency, like a terror attack or a widespread disaster.

We have the answers to questions you might have about how it all works. Ref. CNN.