Florida Officials Apologizes For 4:45 A.M. Emergency Alert Test

The Florida State Emergency Response Team is apologizing for an Emergency Alert Alarm text that was sent out at 4:45 a.m. Thursday.

Apparently, the alarm was sent out by mistake.

“Each month, we test #emergencyalerts on a variety of platforms. This alert was supposed to be on TV, and not disturb anyone already sleeping,” the department said on Twitter.

Later, the warning was also broadcast on state-wide television networks, including NBC6.

Bryan Griffin, a spokesperson for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, tweeted, “This morning’s 4:45AM SERT test alert was not appropriate and not done at our direction. The party responsible will be held accountable and appropriately discharged.”

We know a 4:45 AM wake up call isn't ideal 😅@FLSERT wants to apologize for the early morning text. Each month, we test #emergencyalerts on a variety of platforms. This alert was supposed to be on TV, and not disturb anyone already sleeping.

— FL Division of Emergency Management (@FLSERT) April 20, 2023