VALDOSTA — A test message from the state’s emergency management agency caused a stir across the state early Thursday.

Smartphone users across Georgia received a message that said “EMERGENCY ALERT: EAS Radiological Hazard Warning THIS IS A TEST.” Some television stations also reportedly relayed the message.

Apparently, not everyone understood that it was just a test and that there was no emergency. There was an increase in calls to 911 in Lowndes County after the alert went out, said Paige Dukes, county clerk and county public information officer.

GEMA later posted a clarification to social media.

“We conduct regular testing of our emergency alert systems in order to ensure we are capable of reaching the public in the event of an actual emergency,” the statement said. 

The National Weather Service’s website says a radiological alert would be sent out in case of “the loss, discovery or release of a radiological hazard. Examples include: the theft of a radioactive isotope used for medical, seismic or other purposes; the discovery of radioactive materials; a transportation (aircraft, truck or rail, etc.) accident which may involve nuclear weapons, nuclear fuel or radioactive wastes. Authorized officials may recommend protective actions to be taken if a radioactive hazard is discovered.”

By mid-afternoon, Twitter was full of responses to the alert test. Some of them were:

• “I’d normally clear my notifications w/o reading. Then I saw radiological.”

• “It was just a test, but it scared the heck out of us!”

• “How not to run a test or put out a test alert. You don’t bury the words ‘This is a Test’ in the message. You put it up front so the public gets it quick & doesn’t question the alert and freak out.”

This isn’t the first time a message from emergency officials has caused consternation. In 2018, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency accidentally sent out a message claiming North Korea was attacking the islands with missiles, causing a brief panic until a cancellation was sent out.

Terry Richards is senior reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times.