NORFOLK, Neb. -- National Security took precaution on Wednesday afternoon, issuing a nationwide alert to all citizens in possession of a smart-phone, computer, television or radio. 

At 1:18 CDT/12:18 MDT, most of Nebraskans were looking down at their phone. 

The emergency alert went out on phones, devices, and TV across the county and it looked like this.

"This is a test and only a test," said Region 11 Emergency Manager Bobbi Risor.

 Risor knew what to expect.

"It is going to sound a lot like an amber alert," Risor said. "So it is going to squeal on your phone and you're going to get a notification across your phone."

The test happens once every three years to make sure that all citizens are all aware incase of a national emergency. 

"It's their testing," Risor said. "They have to do this every three years and it just tests the emergency alert system."  

Here's what would happen during an actual emergency:

The president would speak to the American people within 10 minutes on radio and TV.

And the texts would have viral information in 360 characters or less.  

The national alert test came and went and it has raised a couple of concerning questions. Some people's phones went off and others didn't. So that makes you wonder. Incase of a national emergency, who is going to be notified and who is going to be at risk for not getting any messages at all?

"I mean it is kind of weird because his and mine went off at the same time, and hers did not do anything," a concerned citizen said. 

"I know sometimes if people are sitting next to each other, not everybody in the room gets it," Risor said. "So I don't know if it has to do with close proximity with somebody else that got it. Maybe it has to do with your wireless server. I'm not exactly sure."  

"It doesn't matter what type of phone you got; it should go off," the citizen said. 

But in case it didn't, check your alert settings; it may be off.

If not, contact your wireless carrier.