MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama’s new statewide notification system for floods and natural disasters is live, Gov. Kay Ivey announced on Tuesday.
Alabamians will now be notified of imminent floods and weather disasters directly through their phones. Local television and radio broadcast stations will also share the information under the new system.
To sign up for alerts, Alabamians can either complete the opt-in form at ema.alabama.gov or sign up by text message. For emergency alerts and notifications, text ALalert to 77295. For general preparedness information and updates, text ALinfo to 77295.
Launching the system was a priority for Ivey after a flood at a Texas summer camp killed 27 people in 2025, including 8-year-old Sarah Marsh from Birmingham. The governor announced $1.2 million in funding for the system in her State of the State address in January.
“As I announced in January, our new statewide notification system will ensure all Alabamians have the greatest access to warnings of disasters including flooding,” Ivey said in a statement. “Protecting the safety of all Alabamians, especially our children, is our top priority and this statewide flood notification system will enable families to receive more timely alerts to prepare and stay safe.”
The new system goes hand in hand with legislation the Alabama Legislature passed during the 2026 session. The Sarah Marsh Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act requires overnight camps in Alabama to meet higher safety standards, including creating plans for emergencies and evacuations and procuring emergency preparedness licenses from the Alabama Emergency Management Agency. It also prohibits camps from building cabins in floodplains.
Ahead of National Preparedness Month in September, Ivey encouraged all Alabamians to sign up for the new system to get potentially life-saving alerts.
“The watchword for all Alabamians is preparedness, and the activation of the new statewide notification system will provide the most effective tools for all our citizens to be prepared in the event of catastrophic floods and other disasters,” Ivey said.