City of Richmond launches new emergency alert system

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - The City of Richmond is working to enhance public safety in emergencies.

The city has introduced a new Emergency Alert System, called Richmond Ready Alerts, which allows residents, workers, and visitors to receive timely emergency notifications.

Powered by Everbridge, Richmond Ready Alerts will replace the city’s previous alerting system, ‘CodeRed’. All alerts will notify users about various events, including severe weather, fires, floods, missing persons, power outages, and other important public safety updates. Users can receive alerts through their preferred channels, which include text messages, emails, landline phones, or the Everbridge app.

“In emergencies, having timely information can make all the difference, and Richmond Ready Alerts guarantees that users get real-time updates when they matter most,” Stephen Willoughby, Director of Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response, said in a statement. “We strongly encourage anyone who lives, works, or frequently visits Richmond to sign up for alerts to stay connected during critical times.”

Residents can sign up for Richmond Ready Alerts by texting RVAREADY to 888-777.

For more information, click here.