Next week, as many as 1 million people in the Portland area will hear a sharp tone from their phones. Don’t panic – Multnomah County officials say it’s just a test.

The county will conduct a rare trial of its Wireless Emergency Alert system Aug. 14 at 2 p.m., triggering the high-pitched tone and a text message in English and Spanish. The county said it’s running the test after the deadly flash floods in Texas last month and wildfires in California and Hawaii in recent years emphasized the need for fast and reliable disaster notifications.

“The best time to find out if this alert system works is before an actual emergency,” Emergency Management Director Chris Voss said in a statement.

On Aug. 14, the county will test its Wireless Emergency Alert system. Multnomah County

Those who

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