German news. Alert in Germany – highest warning level. In a few days, at 11 a.m., sirens will go off in many cities in North Rhine-Westphalia, and phones will ring. Radio and TV broadcasts will stop. Be ready for the sirens and interruptions in broadcasts. You’ll get a warning message on your phone.
Alert in Germany – highest warning level
Another Warning Day, or WARNTAG, is nearing in North Rhine-Westphalia. On March 14, at 11:00 a.m., sirens will blare, and phones will ring in numerous cities. This serves as the state’s preparation for informing its citizens about potential crisis situations.
The following message will also be sent to users via the mobile network: “A nationwide test alert is currently underway in North Rhine-Westphalia. There is NO DANGER to society. Fire and police emergency numbers should be kept free so that emergency calls can be made.”
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What do the siren sounds mean?
The signals are straightforward to understand. A one-minute, gradually increasing and decreasing howling tone is used to alert the population to imminent danger, prompting them to tune in to the radio for potential announcements via loudspeakers or radio broadcasts. If the one-minute sound is interrupted twice, it signals a fire.
A one-minute rising and falling sound, repeated three times, signals a threat. This could be a flood, a hurricane, a chemical plant accident, or an attack. In such cases, it is advised to seek protective rooms.
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A one-minute uninterrupted sound, interrupted twice, followed by another one-minute continuous sound after a 12-second pause, and signifies a disaster. A continuous sound, briefly interrupted by a momentary howl and then resuming, indicates a test alarm. A continuous one-minute sound signifies “Entwarnung” (all clear). Instructions on how to proceed will be communicated through speakers or the radio.
The warning will be communicated through the following channels:
- Radio and television
- Alert apps like NINA
- electronic billboards
- Syren
- Trucks with loudspeaker
- Deutsche Bahn information system
- Cell Broadcast: To receive a notification, your smartphone must be turned on. However, this only works on mobile phones with at least Android version 11 or iOS version 16.1.
When is the national warning day in Germany?
The upcoming nationwide WARNATG in Germany is scheduled for September 12, 2024. On this day, sirens will blare, and phones will ring throughout the entire country.