Nationwide Emergency Alert

The first-ever test of a National Emergency Alert System (EAS) will occur 2PM EST, November 9, 2011.

This test is unique in several ways. If you’re familiar with the annoying, attention-getting loud buzz tone on your radio, and the now-rare similar test on teevee and cable, you may have some idea of what to expect.

And yet, since the 1963 initiation of the Emergency Broadcast System – which became the EAS in 1994 – new communication venues have emerged – not the least of which include Internet-based sites & modes such as VOIP – including cellular telephones, SMS (text) messages, satellite television & radio, and more.

What is especially problematic with the advent of these new technologies, is that

Tornado rips severe damage through Albertville, Alabama.

!*! – UPDATED – Tuesday, 27 April 2010, with aerial pics by Eric Shultz, Photographer, Huntsville Times – UPDATED – !*!

Saturday evening, April 24, 2010, around 9:30PM CST, a F3 category tornado twisted its way through the rural north Alabama community of Albertville, Alabama in Marshall County. Ironically, it was on the centennial-second anniversary of a 1908 tornado that devastated the town, nearly wiping it from the map.

Fortunately, though no lives were lost, there were about three dozen injuries reported, some severe, with one transported to another larger hospital facility out of the area.

Damage was severe, wreaking havoc and destruction in Albertville and the smaller, nearby community of Geraldine. Damage was so severe, that Albertville schools will be closed for this week,