Picture this: It's raining cats and dogs outside. Meteorologists spot a tornado and issue a warning. But it doesn't get to you. You learn the storm has turned deadly as it whips through a neighborhood near your home.

Our Emergency Communication Networks (ECN) is dedicated to making sure that never happens. That's why we are coordinating with the federal government​​ to conduct a test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) at approximately 1:20 p.m. Wednesday. If the test is postponed due to severe weather, the backup testing date is Oct. 11.

“When a tornado is coming, you need to know your warning system works; you don't have time for troubleshooting," John Dooley, ECN's deputy statewide interoperability coordinator, said. “This annual test gives us confidence in our technology and our ability to protect our friends, neighbors and loved ones across the state — and across the country."

The test will reach millions of mobile phones across the country via the WEA system, as well as radio and television via the EAS. It helps all of us who are dedicated to public safety know that the WEA and EAS will continue to be effective ways to warn you about emergencies.

Here's how the WEA works: If your mobile phone is on and within range of an active cell tower from a participating wireless provider, you should receive the national test. Wireless providers will transmit the national test for 30 minutes, but your phone should only receive it once.

You don't need to do anything special to make sure your phone will receive it. There's no sign-up, account or subscription to the WEA system. You also don't need to worry about the tests gathering any of your data. These are broadcast technologies, so they just send messages. It cannot monitor, locate or lock your phone.

The EAS test will send the warning out through the radio and TV stations, including cable systems and satellite radio. The test message should be familiar. It will state: “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 13:20 to 13:50 hours CT. This is only a test. No action is required by the public."

After the test is done, we'll all have peace of mind.

"We know that in emergencies, every second counts. This system puts warnings where people will see them so they have time to react accordingly," Dooley said. "This system saves lives — but only if it works. That's why testing it ahead of emergencies is so critical."

Learn more about the emergency alert systems on our ECN webpage.