Botched emergency alert test wakes up WHOLE US state sparking fury and panic
Americans have expressed fury after being rudely awakened by an emergency alert test in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Residents of a US state are furious after being woken up early by a full volume test emergency alert.
At 4.45am today, and 3.45am, an emergency alert test blared out from people’s phones.
The alert saw a loud buzz blast from phones, along with the text “EMERGENCY ALERT: TEST - This is a TEST of the Emergency Alert System. No action is required”.
For Android users, the first notification horrifically read: "Emergency alert: Extreme."
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Twitter users have shared their fury at the wake up call, which was sent out across the state of Florida, with @aangelinaab calling it “insane”.
Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida has called for a full inquiry into how this botched test was allowed to go ahead.
He said: “I’ve ordered FL Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie to bring swift accountability for the test of the emergency alert system in the wee hours of the morning.
“This was a completely inappropriate use of this system. Stay tuned.”
Paul Dellegatto from Fox also demanded accountability: “I’d like a word with the person who said ‘let’s go ahead and schedule the amber alert test at 4:45 am’.”
User @TatiSav_said: “Whoever decided to make a amber alert at 4:45Am you’re pathetic. Be blessed.”
Another user, @JohnaldMusic, said: “Most unnecessary Jumpscare ever wtf?
“Bro I was sound asleep and then the amber alert sound started blaring and it wasn’t even for anything."
How to turn off emergency alerts?
While it is not recommended to turn off emergency alerts, you are able to do so on your mobile phones settings.
To turn off the alerts on iPhone go to Settings > Notifications > Then scroll to the bottom of the list and toggle off Extreme Alerts and Serve Alerts.
On Android simply search your settings for emergency alerts using the search icon. From the results, turn off severe and emergency alerts.
Some four hours after the alert went out, state officials owned up and said the alert was a mistake.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management said: "We know a 4:45 AM wake up call isn't ideal.
“FLSERT wants to apologise for the early morning text. Each month, we test emergency alerts on a variety of platforms.
“This alert was supposed to be on TV, and not disturb anyone already sleeping.
"We are taking the appropriate action to ensure this will never happen again and that only true emergencies are sent as alerts in the middle of the night."
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However, Floridians weren’t satisfied, with user @SMooreesq asking: “Kind of a big mistake to wake up an entire state at 4:45 AM. How did this happen?”
Another user, @ChristmasPierce, posted: "Two sound machines, a fan, and an air conditioner all going … and my watch wakes me up.
“Took a half-hour to fall asleep again.”
Ben Frechette, meteorologist at news outlet NBC5, said this is no laughing matter: “IMO, not a good look to laugh this off as a silly mistake
“You don't want to discourage people from having those alerts enabled – and definitely don't give them a reason to turn it off. Those alerts can save your life in dangerous weather situations.”
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