Mark your calendars: the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) has announced a massive, statewide test of public warning systems scheduled for April 2, 2026.
The drill is designed to stress-test the effectiveness of local alerting tools before a real disaster strikes. Residents can expect to see or hear local alerts as jurisdictions across the state trigger their primary and backup notification systems during a coordinated testing window.
"Regular testing builds readiness," said Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd. "Conducting drills to identify potential shortfalls is key to ensuring these systems operate with precision when they are needed most."
The test isn't just for cities and counties; TDEM has called for participation from school districts, universities, river authorities, and tribal nations to ensure every layer of the state's alerting safety net is functional.
