AUSTIN, Texas — U.S. Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., introduced legislation Tuesday that would allow wireless emergency alerts to be delivered by satellite when cellular networks fail during disasters, a response to last year’s deadly Fourth of July flooding.
The bipartisan Mystic Alerts Act would let cellular companies partner with satellite providers to deliver alerts and would direct the Federal Communications Commission to write rules integrating the technology. The goal is a new pathway for emergency alerts to reach residents when ground-based infrastructure is destroyed or knocked offline, according to the senators’ offices.
Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, is leading a companion bill in the House.
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The bill is named for Camp Mystic, the Kerrville camp where 27 campers and counselors died when flooding devastated the Hill Country on July 4, 2025. More than 100 others died across Central Texas in that disaster, and Cornyn’s office said many wireless alerts failed to reach residents after cellular infrastructure was damaged.
“Seconds matter during fast-moving disasters like flash flooding, and damaged ground-based infrastructure can slow down emergency alerts that might save lives,” Cornyn said.
Ossoff said the bill would help “upgrade America’s emergency alert systems to keep Georgia families safe and informed.”
The bill comes as Texas faces a fresh flood threat, with Gov. Greg Abbott declaring a disaster Tuesday for 59 counties.