Have you ever wondered what it’d be like to be the main character in a movie? And if so, what movie would you pick? You’d probably choose adventurous tales like Indiana Jones, suspenseful ones like Jaws, or maybe a more slow-paced movie, like Logistics (but good luck doing something for 35 days! More on that for a future blog post though…)

Would you have chosen a zombie apocalypse movie? C’mon, be honest, would you? Well, if you did, then I think you’d be glad (?) to hear that the US came close to that. Just, without the zombies (unfortunately to, someone, I think).

On February 11, 2013, the Emergency Alert System, the US’s main alert system that warns the public on things like tornadoes, displayed something rather… odd. In the cities of Great Falls, Montana, Marquette, Michigan, La Crosse, Wisconsin, and Portales, New Mexico, a Local Area Emergency was issued, but the reason for the alert stated:

“Civil authorities in your area have reported that the bodies of the dead are rising from their graves and attacking the living. Follow the messages on-screen that will be updated as information becomes available. Do not attempt to approach or apprehend these bodies, as they are considered extremely dangerous. I repeat: civil authorities in your area have reported that the bodies of the dead are rising from their graves and attacking the living. Follow the messages on-screen that will be updated as information becomes available. Do not attempt to approach or apprehend these bodies, as they are considered extremely dangerous. This warning applies to all areas receiving this broadcast. Tune into 920 AM to get updated information in the event that you are separated from your television or if electrical service is interrupted. Civil authorities in your area have reported that the bodies of the dead are rising from their graves and attacking the living. Follow the messages on-screen that will be updated as information becomes available. This station will now cease transmission, so please use your battery powered radio and tune into 920 AM for further information.”

Very ominous stuff, isn’t it?

The first alert was issued in Great Falls around 2:30 to 2:33 PM MST, and contained the text above. The station did NOT cease transmission, there was NOT information updated on-screen, and 920 AM did NOT provide further info. Not long after the alert was played, local authorities confirmed it was a hoax. Then, at 2:55 PM CST/3:55 PM EST, in La Crosse and Marquette, the same alert was issued with the same text. And finally, at 5:35 PM MST, in Portales, the exact same alert was played. Here’s a link to the alert in Great Falls, where you can see the infamous pancake ad that aired during the alert.

It turns out that the alerts were hijacks, and the method the hackers used is unknown, but it most likely was that the hackers had gained access to emergency alert stuff by using some default system passwords listed in public user manuals. After the hijacks, the broadcasters were urged by the FCC and FEMA to reset their passwords and review their safety measures. The FBI and the FCC confirmed the hijacks actually came from an overseas source, but the perpetrators are unknown.

Since the incidents, two more playings of the alert happened. During a morning talk show in La Crosse, the alert was played, with the hosts’ laugher added to the clip, but some very important parts of the alert weren’t edited out. And I mean very important. Like, so important that if they weren’t edited out, it can cause the alert to be relayed on other EAS equipment, triggering an actual alert.

Which is what happened.

And finally, on February 28, 2017, a radio station’s EAS equipment in Randolph County, Indiana, was hacked and played the same alert, but it was clarified it was a ruse.

Since 2013, the FCC has strongly prohibited the use of actual EAS alert sounds, with stations that play them either getting sanctioned or heavily fined.

This shows that sometimes, pranks can unintentionally go a really long way, so be careful when you do one. But I’m pretty sure that you won’t cause a fake alert to play on local radio stations, right?

R…r-r-right?