Armageddon alert sends phones 'nuts' and leaves many saying the same thing
A loud 10-second siren went off as the message regarding Storm Eowyn was delivered to around 4.5 million devices
Millions of people received an 'Armageddon alert' on their mobile phones this evening - and many said the same thing. A loud 10-second siren went off as the message regarding Storm Eowyn was delivered to around 4.5 million devices at around 6pm.
Those living in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland received the alert off the back of the Met Office issuing a rare red weather warning. The message warned people that the storm would hit from 7am on Friday, January 24 and cause "significant disruption".
The alert said strong winds could present a 'danger to life' due to 'flying debris, falling trees and large waves around coastal areas'. It said: "Stay indoors if you can. It is not safe to drive in these conditions. The storm may damage infrastructure causing power cuts and disruption to mobile phone coverage."
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People were encouraged to gather torches, batteries and a power pack for their mobile phone, along with "other essential items" they already have at home. Earlier today, the Cabinet Office said: "In light of the deteriorating weather conditions and associated disruption, and in consultation with the Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive, the Cabinet Office will issue Emergency Alerts early this evening to people affected by the warnings in Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland. The Emergency Alert system will send a message to every compatible mobile phone in the areas at most risk, containing information about the weather warnings and guidance on how to stay safe.
"Mobile phones will make a loud siren-like sound even if they are set on silent. The sound and vibration will last for about 10 seconds. Approximately 4.5 million people will receive the Emergency Alert in the largest real life use of the tool to date."
The sudden loudness took many recipients by surprise, with one social media user saying: "Least the wind won't kill me, I've just died of a heart attack after that alert on my phone." A similar comment read: "Did the whole of Scotland collectively drop their phones over that really loud emergency weather alert?"
A third wrote: "Well that extreme alert thing on the phone scared the s**** out of me in the car. Personal phone and work one at the same time. Two dogs going mental." A fourth posted: "On a train back from Dublin and about 400 phones went nuts at the same time as we crossed the border."
A fifth chipped in: "Far too loud! Scared the wits out of me in the kitchen making dinner!" Someone else said: "Absolutely zero need for that government alert to be so loud, thought my phone was going to explode."
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