safety
Shark attack on Alabama teen inspires the start of a national alert system
By Kim Chandler, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 2, 2026
· 6 min read
Lulu Gribbin was 15 when she survived a shark attack off the coast of Florida. She lost her left hand, part of her right leg and almost her life.What she didn’t know when she entered the water on that day in 2024 was that another woman had been bitten by a shark 90 minutes earlier and just 3 mile...
Key takeaway What she didn’t know when she entered the water on that day in 2024 was that another woman had been bitten by a shark 90 minutes earlier and just 3 miles (4.
Why this matters in Tomball News
For residents of Tomball , who frequently visit the Gulf Coast beaches, the new federal legislation authorizing emergency alerts for shark attacks is a welcome development. The fact that Lulu Gribbin's story inspired this change highlights the importance of timely information in preventing such tragedies. As locals head to the beach, they can expect their mobile phones to receive alerts in the event of a shark attack in the area, similar to Amber Alerts. This system, which classifies shark attacks as events warranting emergency alerts, has the potential to save lives. With Alabama already approving a similar warning system, it will be interesting to see how Texas implements this new legislation, and how it will impact the safety of beachgoers in the Houston area, including those from Tomball. As the system rolls out, residents can look forward to enhanced safety measures at their favorite beach destinations.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Tomball News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Lulu Gribbin was 15 when she survived a shark attack off the coast of Florida. She lost her left hand, part of her right leg and almost her life.What she didn’t know when she entered the water on that day in 2024 was that another woman had been bitten by a shark 90 minutes earlier and just 3 mile...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for Tomball News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kim Chandler, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how Tomball News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Tomball News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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