The EBS (Emergency Broadcast System)

I know you hate this thing, because when there's a good game (or whatever you like to watch) on, the sound goes out, the green bar appears on the screen, and this loud ass siren comes on and it starts telling you places that aren't even near where you live are under a tornado warning.

Exhibit A:



"If this had been an actual emergency, the Attention Signal you just heard would have been followed by official information, news or instructions."

Every time you hear the EBS siren, it turns out to be a false alarm. If there really was an emergency, who would even be able to hear it if their power is out? If they listen by radio and heard the siren, wouldn't they already know there's an emergency if they looked outside and saw trees down everywhere?

Exhibit B:



Would you be able to see this symbol if your power went out during a storm???

And here's my final question: if this system is so useful, where was the EBS the morning of September 11th, 2001?