Alert system to be tested nationally on Wednesday

Several national agencies will join together to test the Emergency Alert System this week.

Although the system has been in existence for more than 15 years, it has never been tested nationwide. The test will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

The national EAS test will be conducted by the Department of Homeland Security through its Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service.

During the test, listeners and viewers will hear a message that a test is occurring. Although the EAS test may resemble the periodic, local EAS tests that most people are already familiar with, there will be some differences in what viewers will see on their TV screen.

The audio message will be the same as a local test. Due to limitations in the EAS, the video test message on cable TV systems will not indicate that a test is occurring because it will use the same code that would be used in an actual emergency. The text at the top of the television screen may indicate that an emergency action notification has been issued, according to a news release from Charter Communications.

Missouri officials have asked residents to use the test as a reminder to check their emergency preparedness.

Officials recommend keeping bottled water, canned food, flashlights, batteries, first aid kits and other items on hand. There should be enough to last three days without power or water.