Emergecy Alert System Tests

Is anyone else frustrated with the local cable companies Emergency Alert System? This morning like most Friday mornings the kids cartoons were interrupted by the screeching of the Alert System being activated. As usually it displays a text message on the screen but never any audio to tell you if its a real emergency or only a test. This is particularly frustrating on days when the "Tests" occur and there are actually Thunderstorms in the area. Don't get me wrong, I am all for testing the alert system but who reports back if its working? The test it and it rarely is working properly IMO. Is there really a point to testing the system if no one is reporting back the problems? Since I don't know how it is supposed to work. I cannot possible be expected to report when its not working, can I?
The last time the there was a Sever Thunderstorm Warning, the cable went to flashing and the Emergency Alert System has been activated in your area only to have dead silence. No verbal message, no on screen text message, just silence. Nice. A few years ago, I stood on my front porch and watched the funnel cloud form nearby (thankfully it never touched down) and the cable went to the Alert activation and again nothing. I would be more happy to do what I always do during a storm-watch the weather or news channel for alerts and warnings. Even that is rendered difficult by the poor cable television over-ride. The screen goes all wavy, screeches and goes to a screen telling you its been activated. No message about why or where. Nothing to indicate when its expected to be or what you should do about it. At least the news will occasional flash the National Weather Service Bulletins and show you a map of where the storms are.