WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) today introduced the Mystic Alerts Act, which would allow wireless emergency alerts (WEAs) to be delivered via satellite communications technologies when other pathways fail during emergencies, including disasters like the Fourth of July floods in Central Texas last year:

“Texas will never forget the July 4^th flooding tragedy that devastated Camp Mystic and other communities in Central Texas. Seconds matter during fast-moving disasters like flash flooding, and damaged ground-based infrastructure can slow down emergency alerts that might save lives,” said Sen. Cornyn. “The Mystic Alerts Act would help ensure communities experiencing severe disasters receive wireless emergency alerts even when cellular communications networks are compromised, and I urge my Senate colleagues to support this legislation to strengthen this important technology and save lives.”

“When storms, disasters, or threats to public safety threaten our state, crisis management is key,” said Sen. Ossoff. “This bipartisan bill with Senator Cornyn will help upgrade America’s emergency alert systems to keep Georgia families safe and informed.”

Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) is leading this legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Background:

On July 4, 2025, a devastating flood in the Texas Hill Country tragically killed 28 individuals at Camp Mystic in Kerrville in addition to more than 100 other individuals across Central Texas. There were multiple reports of undelivered WEAs throughout the areas impacted by the disaster once cellular infrastructure was damaged.

The Mystic Alerts Act would:

• Allow cellular companies to partner with satellite communications providers to deliver WEAs during emergencies;
• Direct the Federal Communications Commission to establish the necessary rules and policies to preserve the effectiveness of WEA infrastructure while integrating satellite communication;
• And create a new communications pathway to enable the delivery of emergency alerts in areas where other infrastructure has been destroyed or taken offline.