TDEM conducting statewide drill testing public warning systems
Statewide emergency alert drill in Texas
The Texas Division of Emergency Management is conducting a statewide public emergency system drill between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (CT) on April 2, 2026.
AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Division of Emergency Management is conducting a statewide test of local alerting systems.
Timeline:
TDEM announced the public warning statewide drill is taking place today (4/2/26) between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (CT).
What to expect during drill
During the test, officials say you may receive an alert on your phone, see messages on your television, hear them on the radio and hear outdoor warning sirens.
Cities and counties will use their primary, alternate and contingency systems during the drill.
What they're saying:
"Regular training and testing of public warning systems builds readiness before disaster strikes and is an important component of community safety," said Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd in a news release when the drill was announced on March 18.
"Conducting drills to reaffirm procedures, promote confidence in technological tools, and identify potential shortfalls is key to ensuring these systems operate with precision, accuracy, and timeliness when they are needed the most," Kidd added.
Local perspective:
In Austin, Austin Emergency Management and Travis County Office of Emergency Management will be participating in this drill jointly.
The public is encouraged to turn on emergency alerts on their mobile devices in the notifications settings and register to receive alerts via phone call, text message, and email with WarnCentralTexas.org.
Officials say that because of how cell towers and signals operate, the test messages may bleed into areas beyond county or city limits. People living or working near county borders may receive alerts from bordering counties when they test their respective systems.
For more information about this test and the emergency alert system, please visit ReadyCentralTexas.org.
The Source: Information from Texas Division of Emergency Management and City of Austin.