SACRAMENTO – The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services together with the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services and the United States Geological Survey will be conducting a public notification test at 11 a.m. on June 27, 2019, using the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system. The test will affect mobile phones in the county area.
At test time, alerts will be broadcast to all phones in San Diego County, even phones of non-residents, which receive the notification using geofencing technology.
However, due to limitations in the technology, some people outside the target area may receive the alert too. Mobile phones will receive the test message, preceded by a loud tone. While the tone may be startling for those who are not aware of the test, there is no need for alarm. No action is necessary.
This will be the second real-time test allowing Cal OES to determine the system’s ability to deliver a ShakeAlert over the WEA system to the public’s cell phones. Typically, WEA messages are sent to phones during emergencies such as severe weather or for AMBER Alerts.
For more information on Wireless Emergency Alerts visit calalerts.org.