How Wireless Emergency Alerts work: Government warnings reach mobile devices through partnerships between FEMA, FCC and carriers like Verizon and AT&T, as shown in Texas flooding.

Flash flood emergency warnings are dire alerts issued by the National Weather Service in high-impact situations that warn potentially destructive and life-threatening flooding is imminent or ongoing.

A Flash Flood Emergency has been declared for Wichita, Kansas, and surrounding communities after torrential thunderstorms dumped up to five inches of rain across the region.