Emergency phone alert - 11AM Friday

Emergency phone alert - 11AM FridayEvery phone in Houston will get this alert on Friday. The City of Houston will send a citywide emergency alert test to WEA-capable phones on Friday at 11 a.m. No action is required. It's only a test.Author: Cory McCord (KHOU)
Published: 4:17 PM CDT September 4, 2025
Updated: 10:16 PM CDT September 4, 2025HOUSTON - The City of Houston is gearing up to test its Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system across the metro area this Friday, Sept. 5, at 11 a.m. Residents with WEA-capable phones (most modern smartphones) will receive a short alert message between 11 and 11:15 a.m., directly from the Houston Office of Emergency Management (OEM).What happens during the test:Only one alert will be sent to each eligible device, and users will receive it either in English or Spanish, depending on their language settings. The message will read: "TEST Wireless Emergency Alert from the City of Houston Office of Emergency Management: No Action Required. TEST ALERT. For more information visit HoustonOEM.org." In Spanish, it reads: "PRUEBA de Alerta Inalámbrica de Emergencia de la Oficina de Manejo de Emergencias de Houston: No se requiere acción. ALERTA DE PRUEBA. Para más información, visite HoustonOEM.org."Why test the system?Houston's OEM conducts these periodic trials to ensure the alert system works during critical situations, like severe weather, chemical spills or other hazards where immediate action is needed. The WEA system lets officials send geographically targeted messages that could save lives when emergencies strike, such as hurricanes or flash floods.Who will receive the alert?The test message is sent to all WEA-capable phones within the City of Houston's jurisdiction. However, because the system is based on cell tower coverage and not exact city boundaries, folks in neighboring areas may also receive the alert. Users do not have to sign up; enrollment is automatic if WEA alerts are enabled on their devices.How to make sure alerts are enabled:Officials encourage residents to check their phone settings. On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications and scroll down to Government Alerts to make sure they're switched on. Android users should look under Settings > Safety & Emergency > Wireless Emergency Alerts to enable notifications.The alert is purely a test -- there's no action required. It's an important step to help Houston keep its community safe and prepared, one smartphone at a time.www.khou.com/article /news/local/houston- emergency-alert-test /285-36b29a4e-b