Our picks in this guide
Compare the models in this guide
See today’s price, delivery options and customer reviews on Amazon.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn moreNeed it fast? Prime members get free, fast delivery on eligible items. Try Amazon Prime
We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
In this article 8 sections
In Houston, the water can rise faster than the news can keep up. Heavy rain at 2 a.m., a bayou that jumps its banks, power out, phone at 8%. That is exactly the moment a NOAA weather alert radio earns its spot on the nightstand: it switches on by itself and wakes you up for a warning in your county. Here is which radio to choose for Houston and Southeast Texas, and how to set it up with the right county codes.
Short answer: for the bedroom, choose a S.A.M.E. alert radio such as the Midland WR120B (simple) or the Midland WR400 (voice, light and AM/FM). Program your county code, for example 048201 for Harris County. In the Houston area, NOAA Weather Radio is broadcast from Tomball (KGG68, 162.400 MHz) and Galveston (KHB40, 162.550 MHz). Add a crank radio such as the Midland ER310 for long power outages.
Editorial Research & Review
- Written by
- Lena Thornton, Weather Station Analyst & CWOP Contributor
- Based on
- National Weather Service Houston/Galveston information, county transmitter details published by local government, Harris County Flood Control District resources, and our existing radio reviews
- Hands-on testing
- Not performed by The-Weather.com for the radios on this page
- Research last verified
- October 2, 2026
Why a Weather Radio Still Matters in Houston
Houston floods in a way that surprises newcomers. The ground is flat, a lot of it is paved, and heavy tropical rain can fall faster than streets and bayous can drain it. Flash flooding can develop within hours, often at night.
Your phone helps, but it depends on a charged battery, a working cell network and the right notification settings. A NOAA weather radio listens directly to the National Weather Service on its own frequency, runs on batteries when the power fails, and sounds an alarm for your county only when you program it with S.A.M.E. (Specific Area Message Encoding).
The warnings for the Houston area come from the National Weather Service Houston/Galveston office in League City. If you already know the difference between a flood watch and a warning, skip ahead; if not, our Flash Flood Watch and Flash Flood Warning pages explain it in a few minutes.
Houston-Area County Codes and Transmitters
A S.A.M.E. code is your county's six-digit number. Enter it in the radio and it only sounds for warnings that include your county. You can program several counties, for example where you live and where you work.
| County | S.A.M.E. code | Tomball KGG68 (162.400) |
|---|---|---|
| Harris | 048201 | Yes (also Galveston KHB40, 162.550) |
| Fort Bend | 048157 | Yes |
| Galveston | 048167 | Yes (also Galveston KHB40, 162.550) |
| Brazoria | 048039 | Yes |
| Montgomery | 048339 | Yes |
| Chambers | 048071 | Yes |
| Liberty | 048291 | Yes |
| Waller | 048473 | Yes |
Codes are the county FIPS codes used by NOAA Weather Radio. Tomball coverage from NOAA Weather Radio (KGG68); Galveston KHB40 details from the City of Dickinson. Coverage can change: confirm your county on the NOAA Weather Radio county list and the NWS Houston/Galveston weather radio page, which also lists the other transmitters in the region (College Station, Bay City, Lake Livingston and more).
Set Up Your Radio in 5 Steps
Batteries and channel
Put fresh batteries in for power cuts, then let the radio find the strongest NOAA channel, or set 162.400 or 162.550.
County codes and alerts
Enter your county code (and any extra counties). Choose which alerts switch on the siren: keep flood, flash flood, tornado and tropical warnings on.
Test and place
NOAA sends a weekly test. Put the radio where you will hear it at night, usually the bedroom.
Our step-by-step articles help with the menus: how to program SAME codes and how to program a Midland weather radio.
Weather Radios for Houston and Southeast Texas
Find your match in 10 seconds
Strong fit for the bedroom
Midland WR120B
Why it fits Houston: a desktop S.A.M.E. alert radio that stays quiet until there is a warning for your programmed counties, then sounds a loud siren. Battery backup keeps it working when the power fails.
Research basis: our Midland WR120B review, Midland's documentation and owner reports.
Good fit if
- You want night-time flood and tornado alerts
- You want simple setup
- You want a second radio for another room
Skip it if
- You want AM/FM radio too
- You want the warning read out
- You need a portable radio
Check current price on Amazon
Check current price on AmazonWR120B · opens in a new tabNot sure yet? Read our Midland WR120B review
Strong fit for the whole household
Midland WR400
Why it fits Houston: S.A.M.E. alerts plus a voice message, a flashing light and AM/FM radio with an alarm clock, so everyone in the house notices a warning and hears what it is about.
Research basis: our Midland WR400 review, Midland's documentation and owner reports.
Good fit if
- Someone sleeps deeply or is hard of hearing
- You want to hear the warning itself
- You want local radio news in a storm
Skip it if
- You only need a siren
- You need a portable radio
- Budget is tight (the WR120B does the main job)
Check current price on Amazon
Check current price on AmazonWR400 · opens in a new tabNot sure yet? Read our Midland WR400 review
Strong fit for long outages
Midland ER310
Why it fits Houston: after a big storm the power can be out for days. The ER310 charges by hand crank, sun or USB, takes AA batteries as backup, scans the NOAA weather channels and adds a flashlight with SOS.
Research basis: our Midland ER310 review and the Midland ER310 user manual.
Good fit if
- You want a radio for the emergency kit or car
- You live where outages last days
- You want to charge a phone
Skip it if
- It would be your only night-time alert radio (no S.A.M.E.)
- You want something pocket-sized
- You only need home alerts
Check current price on Amazon
Check current price on AmazonER310 · opens in a new tabNot sure yet? Read our Midland ER310 review
Local Flood Tools Every Houstonian Should Bookmark
The Harris County Flood Control District explains that its gauges measure rainfall and water levels in real time and that residents, the media and the National Weather Service use the data to judge flood risk (Harris County FWS).
Houston Weather Radio FAQ
What is the NOAA weather radio frequency for Houston?
The Tomball transmitter KGG68 broadcasts on 162.400 MHz and covers Harris and surrounding counties. The Galveston transmitter KHB40 broadcasts on 162.550 MHz and also covers Harris and Galveston counties. Confirm your county on the NOAA Weather Radio county list.
What is the SAME code for Harris County?
048201. Other Houston-area codes include Fort Bend 048157, Galveston 048167, Brazoria 048039 and Montgomery 048339.
Do I need a weather radio if I get alerts on my phone?
A radio is a strong backup. It does not depend on a cell network or a charged phone, works on batteries when the power fails, and with S.A.M.E. it wakes you only for warnings in your county.
Which alerts should I turn on for Houston?
At least flood and flash flood warnings, tornado warnings and tropical storm and hurricane warnings. Many radios let you switch off less urgent alerts so you are not woken for advisories.
Is a crank radio enough for Houston?
Not on its own for the night. Crank radios such as the ER310 are made for outages and evacuations; for warnings while you sleep, use a desktop S.A.M.E. radio. Many households keep both.
Update Log
- October 2, 2026: Page published. County codes and Houston-area transmitters checked against published local information; flood resources checked against the Harris County Flood Control District.
Sources
- National Weather Service Houston/Galveston and its NOAA Weather Radio page
- NOAA Weather Radio: KGG68 Tomball coverage
- City of Dickinson: NOAA All Hazards Radio (transmitters and codes)
- NOAA Weather Radio: county coverage
- Harris County Flood Control District: Flood Warning System
- Our reviews: Midland WR120B, Midland WR400, Midland ER310
See also: Best Weather Radios for Hurricane Season · Flash Flood Warning · Track Rainfall at Home During a Flood Watch
Ready to decide?
Find your pick on Amazon
Prices and stock change daily. Check the current price, delivery options and what owners say in their reviews.
Need it fast? Prime members get free, fast delivery on eligible items. Try Amazon Prime
Amazon PrimeGet it before the next stormPrime members get free, fast delivery on eligible items
Try Prime →Our top picksCompare our picks on AmazonToday's price, delivery & owner reviews on Amazon
Check on Amazon →
