Emergency Alert System-Another Relic?

As I was taking a break at noon today I turned on the TV. From the kitchen I heard the squawk of the Emergency Alert System. Looking at the screen on a beautiful sunny day I saw a statewide alert was in progress. A voice came on, completely unintelligle and incomprehensible through the static of what must have been a cold war era connection. Of course usually these are weather alerts and text appears on the screen. Concerned, I flipped to my local TV station where I was informed by a newscaster that it was an Amber alert for 3 children kidnapped by their mother. As with Katrina, so much for the system..or the loose wire. Certainly a better voice or text overlay should be possible. Fortunately, the children were recovered unharmed.