Emergency Alert system test to take place on 7th September

The UK government will be carrying out a national test of the Emergency Alert system on Sunday 7 September at 3pm.

The Emergency Alerts system is used to warn if there’s a danger to life nearby, including extreme weather. Regular testing ensures the system is functioning correctly, should it need to be used in a life-threatening emergency.

Since the system launched in 2023, it has been used on five occasions, including most notably during two major storms: Storm Éowyn in January 2025 across Scotland and Northern Ireland, and Storm Darragh in December 2024 affecting Wales and South West England, when millions received alerts during red weather warnings.

Compatible mobile phones and tablets connected to the 4G and 5G mobile networks will receive an alert, make a loud siren-like sound and vibrate. You will not need to take any action.

Message text that will be sent with the alert will read:

“This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby.

“You do not need to take any action. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.

“Find simple and effective advice on how to prepare for emergencies at gov.uk/prepare.

“Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information or to view this message in Welsh. Ewch i gov.uk/alerts am ragor o wybodaeth neu i weld y neges hon yn y Gymraeg.”

Emergency alerts contain life-saving information and should be kept switched on; however, it is possible to opt out of alerts. For example, victims of domestic abuse with a concealed phone may find it appropriate to turn off alerts. How you opt out depends on your device, with additional details available from the Government website.