Early morning alert test rouses Floridians, raises questions and tempers

TAMPA, Fla. — An early morning test of Florida’s emergency alert system that roused people from sleep on Thursday — and raised questions and tempers — wasn’t supposed to go to phones, state officials said.

The alert of the Emergency Alert System hit phones about 4:45 a.m., emitting the blaring tone typically heard for severe weather or the Amber Alerts sent out when children go missing.

“TEST - This is a TEST of the Emergency Alert System,” the alert said. “No action is required.”