US warning system sets America abuzz

MILLIONS of Americans’ mobile phones buzzed and beeped during the first test of a presidential alert system that would warn the public of a national emergency, such as an imminent attack.

The test message from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) went out at 2.18pm (7.18pm) and triggered a loud tone, a special vibration and a message reading: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” A separate alert on television and radios was issued at 2.20pm (7.20pm).

Officials estimated that upwards of 225 million US mobiles and other devices like smartwatches would receive the alerts broadcast by cell towers, or about 75pc of all devices.

Officials said they expected the alert would not reach all phones for a variety of reasons. US users are not able opt out of presidential alerts.

The test was the most discussed topic on Twitter, in part because of President Donald Trump’s propensity for sending tweets to his 55 million followers.

Officials said Mr Trump would not personally trigger the alert – from his phone or any other device – and emphasised no president could “wake up one morning and attempt to send a personal message.”

The test alert was sent by a device similar to a laptop from a FEMA laboratory.