Brits are set to receive a 10-second alert as millions of phones will blare out an ‘Armageddon alert’ as part of a Government test, according to reports. The system, unveiled in 2023, has already been used during incidents such as Storm Darragh, prompting over 3 million people to stay put during gale-force winds.
But the Mirror reports that ministers want to test the system again by trialling these alerts in preparation for potential emergencies. An approximate total of 87 million 4G and 5G phones will ’emit a siren and vibrate for up to 10 seconds’ as part of the warning delivery.
The exact date of this trial is expected to be announced later in the year and will be made public well in advance. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden told the publication: “Most countries that have this system test it quite regularly and so we don’t want it just to be once years ago and then everybody forgets it exists. This should be part of our armoury in warning people about major risks.”
The UK follows in the footsteps of nations like the US and Canada in utilising such alerts for imminent threats like extreme weather. In the case of wildfires or heavy flooding within the UK, these alerts are poised to play a crucial role.
The public is advised to simply acknowledge the alert by swiping away the notification or tapping ‘OK’ on their phone screens. Trial text messages have previously stated: “This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby.
“In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information. This is a test. You do not need to take any action.”
While people can disable these alerts in their device settings, the Government recommends keeping them activated for safety reasons. The messages are broadcast by mobile phone masts, targeting every compatible phone within range – it doesn’t mean the Government has access to your number.
You may receive an alert in several situations, including:
- Severe flooding
- Fires
- Extreme weather
These alerts are issued by emergency services and Government departments or bodies.
What if you receive an alert while driving?
The Government asserts that it is illegal to use a hand-held device while driving – even if there is an emergency alert. Instead, you should find somewhere safe and legal to stop before reading the message.
Its advice adds: “If there’s nowhere safe and legal to stop, and nobody else is in the vehicle to read the alert, you can listen to news on live radio to find out about the emergency.”
If your device is not compatible with alerts, you can still find out about an emergency through local news, radio, and television reports, in addition to verifiable social media posts.
The Government’s advice adds: “Emergency alerts will be sent in English. In Wales, they may also be sent in Welsh.”