Erroneous tsunami warnings were sent to phones across the East Coast on Tuesday, forcing the National Weather Service to scramble to explain what happened.
“We have been receiving reports that an erroneous tsunami alert across New England,” NWS Boston tweeted. “Please note there is no tsunami threat for New England.”
A test was conducted on Tuesday morning, Feb. 6, and the alert had the word “test” in the warning. But it was sent out as an alert.
“A Tsunami Test was conducted earlier this morning, that did have TEST in the message. We are currently trying to find out how a message went out as a warning. We will update you when we find out more,” the NWS tweeted.
People told Fox25 in Boston that there was no “test” in the message they had received.
Alerts were also sent to people in other places, including Palm Beach County, Florida, as well as South Carolina. NOLA.com also reported that the alerts were sent to some in New Orleans. People in New York also reportedly received the warning, as did people in Maine. Residents in as far as southern Texas reportedly got the alert.
“A monthly Tsunami Warning test was issued around 830 am by @NWS_NTWC . We have been notified that some users received this test message as an actual Tsunami Warning. A Tsunami Warning is not in effect. Repeat, a Tsunami Warning is not in effect #chswx #gawx #savwx #scwx,” the NWS in Charleston, South Carolina, wrote.
There were reports of alerts having been sent to other places as well.
This is a developing story; check back for more updates later.
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