FEMA Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test Scheduled for November 17
October 21, 2026 (RUIDOSO, NM) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at approximately 12:20 PM MDT (2:20 PM ET).
The nationwide test is designed to assess how participating broadcasters and communications providers receive and relay a national emergency test message. No action is required by the public.
What Ruidoso Residents Can Expect
On November 17, radio and television broadcasters and other participating communications providers nationwide will interrupt normal programming to relay the Emergency Alert System test.
The test message will identify the alert as a nationwide FEMA test and make clear that no action is required by the public. The message will include standard EAS alert tones and may be broadcast in English, Spanish, or both, depending on the participating station or provider.
The test is expected to last approximately one minute. Normal programming will resume when the test concludes.
This is only a test. No action is required by the public.
Learn More
For additional information about the 2026 nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, including information for the public and communications providers, visit FEMA’s 2026 National Test webpage.
Review Frequently Asked Questions about the National Test.
For local emergency preparedness information and resources, visit the Village of Ruidoso Office of Emergency Management webpage.
