April 20, 2023 – Residents across Florida were awakened by a loud emergency alert sent to their cell phones early Thursday morning.

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The alert, which read “TEST – This is a TEST of the Emergency Alert System. No action is required,” was a part of the regular testing of the state’s Emergency Alert System (EAS).

We know a 4:45 AM wake up call isn't ideal 😅@FLSERT wants to apologize for the early morning text. Each month, we test #emergencyalerts on a variety of platforms. This alert was supposed to be on TV, and not disturb anyone already sleeping.
— FL Division of Emergency Management (@FLSERT) April 20, 2023

The EAS is a national public warning system that state and local authorities often use to deliver vital emergency information, such as weather updates and AMBER alerts, to affected communities. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) oversees the system.

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In Florida, the EAS sends a test notification to residents’ devices once a month, according to a schedule available on the Florida Association of Broadcasters’ website. These tests are typically conducted at either 4:50 a.m. or 1:50 p.m. Thursday’s emergency test alert was scheduled for 4:50 a.m., but many residents reported receiving it at 4:46 a.m.

Early morning tests like the one on Thursday can startle residents and cause unnecessary concern. Regular testing of the EAS is essential for ensuring its functionality during actual emergencies, but the timing of these tests could be reviewed to minimize disruption to Floridians’ daily lives.