NL-Alert system tested at noon

A test of the national emergency warning system, NL Alert, had smartphones and other devices delivering notifications at noon on Monday. The test warning message, typically accompanied by vibrations and a piercing sound on mobile devices, should have been distributed to every device connected to a mobile network in the Netherlands.

The alert system is generally used to warn residents, workers and visitors in specific areas when emergencies arise. This can be narrowly localized to specific neighborhoods, but can also be sent to a wider area.

The most common uses of the alert system warn about dangerous storms and their impact, large fires and smoke clouds, or more extreme incidents like major violent crimes where a suspect is urgently sought.

Anyone with their phone switched on should receive the alert when the device is connected to a mobile network in the Netherlands. Those who did not receive the test message may have had their phones in airplane mode, or may have powered down the device. Many older models connected to older mobile networks may also be cut out of the test.

In the past, people in border areas connected to Belgian or German cell towers have also missed the message. Likewise, people in those countries connected to a Dutch mobile tower may have received the alert.

Anyone with an Apple iPhone can ensure their phones are configured by navigating to Settings, then Notifications, and checking if "Emergency Notifications" are enabled. Android users can activate notifications of "Extreme Alerts" by navigating to Settings, then Emergency Alerts.