http://m.theleafchronicle.com/topnews/article?a=2011111103001&f=548

"The Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will hold a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on November 9, 2011 at 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

This will be the first ever, top-to-bottom nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System... FEMA will transmit the EAS code for national emergencies. The EAS code and alert will be rebroadcast by broadcast stations and other service providers until it has been distributed throughout the entire country and U.S. territories."

Sounds like a great idea but spread the word so 911 doesn't get flooded with calls.