DeKalb County has a new way to get your attention when things go sideways. The county rolled out DeKalbAlert this week, a free emergency-notification system designed to deliver real-time warnings and public-safety notices straight to residents’ phones. Officials say the alerts will move faster and more directly than the county’s previous setup, especially for severe-weather and life-safety situations.
Owned and operated by the DeKalb Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), the service is handled by the same county office that runs the Emergency Operations Center and community preparedness programs, according to DeKalb Emergency Management Agency. DEMA lists Dr. Clare “Cj” Avory as its director and provides contact information for community outreach and emergency coordination.
How to sign up
Residents who want in do not need an app or a computer. Texting DEKALBALERT to 67283 from any mobile phone automatically enrolls you in the system. Those who prefer a little more control can create a profile at dekalbalert.com to add multiple addresses and choose whether they get text, voice or email notifications, according to Atlanta Daily World.
Officials' message
County leaders are trying to make signing up sound as routine as grabbing your morning coffee. CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson urged residents to spend two minutes registering and framed DeKalbAlert as the county’s “direct line” to households during emergencies. “Texting DEKALBALERT to 67283 gets you protected today,” DEMA Director Dr. Clare "Cj" Avory said, per Atlanta Daily World.
Why it matters
DeKalbAlert takes over from the county's older CodeRED messaging service, which DeKalb has used in prior years for mass notifications, per DeKalb County. An internal audit released April 20, 2026, found that E911 call-answering times did not meet national benchmarks, a finding county officials say highlights the need for strong outbound alerts as another tool to keep residents informed. For specifics on that review, see DeKalb County.
Quick tips
To get covered now, text DEKALBALERT to 67283 or set up an online profile and double-check that your phone numbers and addresses are correct so alerts land on the right devices. Standard message and data rates may apply, and the system offers multiple language options for residents who prefer alerts in a language other than English.
