False tsunami warning issued for America's east coast after test 'glitch'

A false tsunami warning was sent out to people living on America's east coast
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Fiona Simpson6 February 2018

People living on America’s east coast received a fake tsunami warning that was supposed to be a test, the National Weather Service said.

Meteorologist Hendricus Lulofs said there was a glitch on Tuesday during a routine test which meant users of some mobile apps received what looked like an actual warning.

According to reports the message read: “Tsunami warning in effect for Westbrook ME until 9.28am. Source: US National Weather Service.”

He said the National Weather Service is trying to get to the bottom of what happened.

National Weather Service offices in the region are using social media to get word out that there is no tsunami warning.

People on Twitter appeared to mock the mistake with some concerned they had missed out on the false alarm.

One person wrote: "I’m concerned that I’m not getting the false #Tsunami warning. I have emergency alert on."

Another added: "Anyone else not get the false Tsunami alert? I wonder if that’s Apple leaving me hanging out to dry? I’ll take 1 false message a day over getting hit by a wave, but that’s just me."

It came weeks after Hawaiian authorities accidentally sent a false warning over a ballistic missile.

An "emergency alert" sent to people all over the US island state sent last month read: "Ballistic missile threat inbound to Hawaii. Seek immediate shelter. This is not a drill."

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