MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. — Multnomah County will test its Wireless Emergency Alert system Thursday at 2 p.m., sending notifications to up to 1 million cell phones across the metro area, including devices in neighboring counties.

The test alert will reach residents and visitors in Multnomah County and may extend into Washington, Clackamas and Clark counties due to cell tower coverage areas, according to press releases from Multnomah and Clackamas counties.

Recipients will hear a high-pitched tone and feel their phone vibrate twice, accompanied by a text message in English and Spanish. No action is required from the public, and officials are asking people not to call 911, 211 or 311 in response to the test.

"The best time to find out if this alert system works is before an actual emergency,

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