[EAS] Strange NWS Event Code

[Adrienne Abbott]

All

Several stations in Las Vegas stations report receiving an EAS activation
from the National Weather Service earlier today for something called a
"Special Alert-Event Code AFD". One of the engineers reports getting a 10
sec audio message with the activation but the audio was not related to any
kind of EAS activation. The EAS equipment at the stations did not recognize
the AFD Event Code and ignored the activation. 

 

It is "monsoon season" in Southern Nevada and there have been dozens of EAS
activations in the past week from the Las Vegas WFO. However, none of the
stations broadcast the activation apparently because the equipment didn't
recognize the code. Is this something new from NWS? What is an AFD? Is this
like the PDS codes that were issued earlier this summer in Tornado Alley?
What does it mean and what should the stations do when they receive it? Has
anybody else received these? This is how the activation appeared on the EAS
equipment at three stations:

 

Alert Received at 07/25/13 04:05:01 on monitor #3 Matched Filter OTHERS The
National Weather Service has issued an Unknown Event (AFD) for Clark, NV
beginning at 3:36 am and ending at 9:36 am (KVEF/NWS)

ZCZC-WXR-AFD-032003+0600-2061036-KVEF/NWS-

Log Only.

 

Ignored 

07/25/13 04:05:00

Unknown Event, Received on Monitor 3. 
The National Weather Service has issued an Unknown Event (AFD) for Clark, NV
beginning at 3:36 am and ending at 9:36 am (KVEF/NWS)

 

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A Special Alert (Code AFD) FOR THE
FOLLOWING COUNTIES/AREAS:
Clark, NV;
AT 3:36 AM
ON JUL 25, 2013
EFFECTIVE UNTIL 9:36 AM.
MESSAGE FROM KVEF/NWS.

 

Adrienne Abbott

Nevada EAS Chair