Montana TV stations air Emergency Alert about zombies

**Jenna** · 02-13-13, 11:05 AM

GREAT FALLS, Mont. -- Zombies weren't walking the streets here Monday, but a false alert that aired on two local TV stations went through the same channels on which true emergencies are aired, raising questions and concerns of how the hoax occurred.The hoax reached around 10 stations in Montana, Michigan, California, Utah and New Mexico, said Greg MacDonald, the CEO of Montana Broadcasters Association.The alert featured a scrolling warning for various Montana counties and a voice-over claimed there were "dead bodies rising from the grave and attacking the living" and urged people to use caution."Do not attempt to approach or apprehend these bodies as they are extremely dangerous," it said.MacDonald said the FBI and the FCC are investigating the cases, and initial findings have officials believing the hoax originated somewhere overseas."It's a serious issue. Initially people laughed about zombies, but then you start digging and find that it's not that funny," he said.The Emergency Alert System is a national public warning system that requires broadcasters to provide the communications capability to the president to address the American public during a national emergency, according to the Federal Communication Commission's website. It's also used by state and local authorities to deliver important emergency information, such as AMBER alerts and weather information to specific areas.

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