National Emergency Alert System Test (November 9, 2011)

The Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Communications Commission held the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System. The test occured at 2 p.m. ET and was carried on all broadcast television, radio stations and cable and satellite television systems in the U.S. and U.S. territories. Wednesday, November 9, 2011.

[hplus]

This has been, and always will be, probably the scariest noise I ever had the misfortune of hearing over the TV as a kid.

[itzadamisnoob]

The Emergency Alert System tones are meant to alert your fight-or-flight senses, to grab your attention towards your tv/radio so you are aware of the danger that is occurring/about to occur.

[jec]

This used to scare the crap out of me as a kid especially thunder storm and tornado warnings omfg

[Generalkidd]

lol we took a break during class just so we can watch this at school. Another teacher ran into our classroom asking our teacher if it was a real emergency. Apparently they were watching the TV for a different purpose and never got the memo.

[henryjohnson]

Call me crazy, but I love the EAS. It warns you, it annoys you, and sometimes it scares you.

[jaywells]

these always scare me when they come on because you never know if it'll be a test or not 😣

[Decayedbb]

this is so scary, not just the noise but the screen too...I couldn't even get through 2 seconds of listening to it before I had to pause the video

[JayFoxer]

when the alert system test stops but it keeps going as it gets louder and louder, coming closer to your home

[regularflurfy]

Dear god, I freak out when I hear the EAS on the radio

[MinecraftandYTPDude]

Jesus Christ this was on nick at nite and it woke me up at 4 am. I shit you not I was scared for my life. I changed the channel to TBS cause AFV was on.

[Stanified]

I hate watching tv like at midnight then that plays very loudly.

[paperbag]

Japan tv alarm: twinkle twinkle little star

America tv alarm:

[WildDiamond]

I am writing this comment 10 years after the test occurred. Truly an historic day for American television.

[NormalChannel]

0:43 this part of the alert system always gives me the chills.

[Elbruhman]

This scares me more than any other horror movie can

[tyhooper]

Newswoman: 30 seconds
Man: 1370 seconds

[ariwin]

That emergency noise for some reason scares me like I feel danger around me when I hear that noise. Its like its the high pitch and low noises that causes it, but I know its just a practice test.

[quarantinesucks]

For anyone asking why this sound is so terrifying, its supposed to initiate your flight or fight response, it causes anxiety, fear, and the urge to find a safe place to hide/take shelter. There ya go there's the explanation

[RainyLynx]

I remember when this test went on TV. I was being a normal kid, watching what ever the heck I watched in 2011, then the alert system came on. I cried.

[thechannelofdaniel]

When I was on holiday in America (so I had never heard this before) with no warning on that channel it came on and scared the living daylights out of me and my brother lol