Stateline Residents got an ‘IPAWS Test Alert’ on Your Phones, Here’s What we Know

Did your your smart phone went off with a crazy sound? Did you look down at your phone and see that you received an IPAWS test alert on Monday afternoon? Good news, we are all still alive.. 

Many area police agencies got calls from citizens asking what is an "IPAWSTester - Area Emergency Test #1". Police officials are urging residents to NOT call 911 in reference to this test alert.

These alerts were not just issued in the Rockford area, but affected millions of cell phone users in Illinois, Iowa and ten other states.

According to WQWC-TV, the alert did NOT come from State of Iowa or any local jurisdiction in Iowa. No official word from the state of Illinois.

State officials are actively investigating the issue and will provide an update once additional information is obtained.

Some people received 30 of these alerts in a 20 minute time span and took to Twitter to complain.

The City of Grand Island, Nebraska issued this statement

Are you getting a repeated "IPAWS Test" message to your phone? It seems to be a loop or some repeated error in the Federal Integrated Public Alert Warning System and is affecting only certain wireless phones. We have notified our contacts with the State of Nebraska and FEMA. We have no news to provide at this time.

What is IPAWS? IPAWS stands for the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System

According to FEMA, IPAWSs is a way for citizens to receive alerts and warnings from officials in a speedy manor. The system was designed as a way to provide the public with life-saving information quickly. The digital information sent to smart phones, according to FEMA reflects a :

modernization and integration of the nation’s alert and warning infrastructure and will save time when time matters most, protecting life and property

Nothing to be worried about, but the investigation as to what triggered this alert continues by FEMA officials