Alabama activates disaster alert system prompted by Texas floods that killed Mountain Brook girl
Alabama has activated a statewide emergency notification system, allowing residents to receive flood and disaster alerts.
Ryan Cooper 
Governor Kay Ivey officially announced the launch of a new statewide notification system this Tuesday, designed to deliver rapid alerts to Alabamians during flooding events and other critical emergencies.
Strengthening Public Safety
This initiative fulfills a commitment made by the governor during her January 13 state of the State address, where she allocated $1.2 million to develop the infrastructure for improved disaster warnings. The goal is to provide residents with faster, more reliable information to keep families safe.
"Protecting the safety of all Alabamians, especially our children, is our top priority," Ivey stated in a press release. The system will push warnings directly to cell phones and landlines, while also utilizing local television and radio broadcasts to ensure widespread reach.
How to Sign Up
Officials are urging residents to take proactive steps to stay informed before the next severe weather event. You can sign up for the Alabama EMA notification system in two ways:
- Visit ema.alabama.gov and navigate to the ALalert section to complete the registration form.
- Text ALalert to 77295 to begin receiving emergency alerts directly to your device.
For general preparedness updates, residents can text ALinfo to 77295.
A Legacy of Safety
The push for a more robust alert system follows the tragic July 2025 Texas flood, which resulted in the deaths of 25 children at Camp Mystic. Among those lost was eight-year-old Sarah Marsh of Mountain Brook. Investigators concluded that a lack of proper warning and preparation by camp leadership contributed to the disaster.
In response, Governor Ivey signed the Sarah Marsh Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act into law on April 8. The legislation mandates improved safety protocols at camps across the state, specifically targeting flash flooding, severe storms, and other emergency risks.
As Alabama approaches National Preparedness Month in September, Ivey emphasized that preparedness remains the most effective tool for citizen safety. "I encourage all Alabamians to sign up for the new alert system today," the governor said.
