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Emergency alert test in Houston scheduled for Friday morning | Houston Public Media

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Thursday, September 4th 2025 at 15:04 GMT by Houston Public Media
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Houston Prepares for Friday Morning Emergency Alert System Test

Houston, TX – 4 September 2025
The City of Houston announced this week that it will conduct a full‑scale Emergency Alert System (EAS) test on Friday morning. The test, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. local time, will simulate a real emergency broadcast across the city’s radio, television, NOAA weather radio and mobile alert platforms. The exercise is part of the city's commitment to maintaining a reliable nationwide alert network that can reach residents in the event of a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or other critical event.

What the Test Looks Like

During the test, all participating media outlets will play the standard federal test announcement: “This is a test of the Emergency Alert System. This is not an emergency.” After the brief warning, the system will deliver a mock alert, typically titled “Houston Emergency Alert – Test.” The message will be a placeholder for a real emergency scenario, but it will follow the exact same technical format that would be used in an actual event, including emergency radio tone cues, sirens, and a countdown to “stay tuned.”

The EAS, mandated by federal law and overseen by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is designed to disseminate critical public safety information to the public via broadcast media, satellite radio, and wireless networks. Houston’s test will therefore reach citizens through a variety of channels:

• Television: All local TV stations that participate in the EAS will display the test message on their main channels.
• Radio: The city’s radio partners—AM, FM, and satellite stations—will interrupt programming with the test alert.
• NOAA Weather Radio: The national weather network will transmit the alert across its local repeaters.
• Wireless: The City of Houston’s emergency mobile alert service, which pushes notifications to smartphones and tablets, will issue a test message as well.

The test will be monitored by the Houston Police Department (HPD), Houston Fire Department (HFD), and the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC). These agencies will verify that the alert is received across all platforms and that the message is clearly audible and intelligible.

Why Houston Is Conducting a Test

“Regular EAS tests are a cornerstone of public safety. They help us confirm that our communication infrastructure is functional and that our emergency management teams are ready to respond quickly if the city ever faces a real emergency,” said John Rivera, Director of Public Safety for Houston. “This Friday’s test will also give us an opportunity to educate residents about how to recognize and respond to an emergency alert.”

The FCC requires each state to conduct at least one EAS test per year. Houston’s test is one of many statewide exercises scheduled to occur across Texas, following similar drills in Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. In addition to local compliance, these tests help the federal government monitor nationwide readiness.

How Residents Will Experience the Test

Residents can expect to see the emergency alert pop up on their TV screens, hear the message on their radios, or receive a notification on their mobile devices. The City’s website will also display the test message on a dedicated “Emergency Alert” page.

While the content of the test will be generic, the tone and format will mirror that of a genuine emergency alert. For example, after the initial test phrase, a mock alert may read, “Attention: This is a simulated emergency alert. Please listen for instructions and follow any guidance from local officials.” The broadcast will be brief—typically 30 seconds to a minute—to avoid unnecessary alarm.

If residents see the test message, they should treat it as a normal alert. “If you see or hear the test, stay calm and continue to listen for any follow‑up information that might be delivered by local authorities,” Rivera added. He emphasized that no action beyond monitoring is necessary during a test.

Additional Context and Resources

The City of Houston’s EAS test is part of a broader strategy to ensure public safety. The EAS test is integrated with other Houston emergency management programs, such as the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the Houston Police Department’s Rapid Response Team. For more information on the EAS and how it works, residents can visit the federal FCC EAS webpage: https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-alert-system.

The City’s emergency communications infrastructure is also linked to the Texas Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), which coordinates state‑level emergency responses. TEMA’s website (https://www.tema.texas.gov) offers guidance on how citizens should prepare for emergencies and how to use the state’s AlertTexas app, a mobile notification service similar to Houston’s local system.

The City has also posted an FAQ on its official site (https://www.houstontx.gov/publicsafety/eas) that explains what the EAS is, how the test will be conducted, and how residents can prepare for real emergencies. The FAQ clarifies that the EAS test is a routine procedure, not a sign of an impending disaster, and that the city will continue to maintain a 24/7 monitoring system to detect any actual emergencies.

Looking Ahead

As Houston readies itself for Friday’s test, the city’s leadership stresses that emergency preparedness is an ongoing effort. “This test is just one piece of a larger puzzle,” said Rivera. “Our goal is to make sure that every resident receives accurate, timely information when it matters most.”

Residents who want to stay informed about upcoming emergency alerts and drills are encouraged to subscribe to the City’s email list, follow its official social media accounts, or download the “AlertHouston” mobile app, which pushes real‑time emergency notifications. For those who prefer print, the City’s public safety newsletters are also available.

In the end, the Friday morning EAS test is a testament to Houston’s commitment to safety and preparedness. By ensuring that its communication systems are functioning flawlessly, the city can respond more effectively to future emergencies—whether they be natural disasters, public health crises, or unforeseen threats.