Texas city to test statewide emergency alert system

Athens will participate in the coordinated drill on April 2nd.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 12:54am

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The city of Athens, Texas will take part in a statewide emergency alert system test on Thursday, April 2nd, coordinated by the Texas Division of Emergency Management. The testing window will run from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., during which residents may receive multiple RAVE alert messages that will clearly indicate they are part of a test, requiring no action.

Why it matters

Emergency alert systems are critical for quickly notifying the public about imminent threats, natural disasters, or other urgent situations. Regular testing helps ensure the system is functioning properly and that residents know how to respond when real alerts are issued.

The details

The statewide emergency alert test will be coordinated by the Texas Division of Emergency Management and involve the city of Athens sending out multiple test alerts through the RAVE alert system during the 2.5-hour testing window.

  • The testing window is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 2, 2026.

The players

Texas Division of Emergency Management

The state agency responsible for coordinating emergency management and disaster response efforts across Texas.

City of Athens

A city located in Henderson County, Texas that will participate in the statewide emergency alert system test.

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What’s next

After the test, the Texas Division of Emergency Management will evaluate the results and identify any areas for improvement in the statewide alert system.

The takeaway

Regular testing of emergency alert systems is crucial to ensure they are ready to effectively notify the public during real crises and disasters. The upcoming test in Athens will help validate the system's capabilities across the state of Texas.