VBAlert: Sign Up for Virginia Beach Emergency Notifications

Looking to stay informed about public safety issues or major City of Virginia Beach events? VBAlert is the City’s official emergency alert and notification system, providing residents and visitors with real-time updates during emergencies and other critical incidents.

Signing up is free, takes a few minutes and allows you to customize the types of alerts you want to receive. Notifications can be sent via text, email or phone.

VBAlert

VBAlert keeps you aware of what’s happening during an emergency, so you can act fast if needed. Depending on the situation, the City may share proactive actions or lifesaving guidance to help keep you and your family safe. 

Why is it important?
Although you may receive National Weather Service, federal and regional notifications, VBAlert adds an important local perspective. It delivers timely, precise, City‑issued guidance from the City and Emergency Management officials for conditions affecting Virginia Beach and your neighborhood. 

VBAlert also includes some nonemergency notifications such as the Beach Report and Lynnhaven Boat Ramp Text Alerts that support day-to-day planning, giving residents timely information beyond emergency situations. 

How does it work? 
When an emergency requires public notification, the City reviews the situation and sends an alert to landline telephones in the impacted area. Depending on the event, alerts may be issued citywide or targeted to a specific neighborhood. 

The number of alerts you receive depends on the address you provide, the types of notifications you select, and the emergencies that occur. Emergency notifications are only sent for an immediate threat to life or property. Community notifications are issued when the criteria for sending an alert are met. 

The City's Emergency Communications & Citizen Services (ECCS) Watch Desk monitors all active incidents and determines when notifications should be sent.  

Emergency and Nonemergency Alerts

The City provides emergency and nonemergency alerts to keep residents notified about safety conditions, service impacts and important updates to make safe, informed decisions throughout the year.

Emergency notifications include: 

• Severe weather watches and warnings 
• Evacuation announcements 
• Hazardous Materials Incidents 
• Boil water advisories 
• Road closures 
• Transportation disruptions (road closures, major traffic incidents) 
• Rabid animal alerts 
• Missing and/or endangered persons 
• Police, Fire or EMS activity 

If you no longer wish to receive these alerts, you can reply “Stop” at any time. 

Non-emergency Alerts: 

• Beach Report alerts provide updates on beach closures and red flag conditions at Sandbridge, Croatan and the Oceanfront. Text “Beach” to 67283 or call 311 for current beach conditions. Reply “Stop” at any time to opt out. 
• The City hosts multiple events and festivals throughout the year, many of which draw large crowds and create heavy traffic. Residents attending Oceanfront events can receive updates and safety notifications by texting “VBEvents” to 67283. Reply “Leave VBEvents” at any time to opt out. 
• Residents and visitors in Sandbridge can also sign up for Sandbridge Emergency Text Alerts updates, including safety notifications and beach conditions. Text “Sandbridge” to 67283 to stay informed. Reply “Stop” at any time to opt out. 
• The Lynnhaven Boat Ramp Text Alert notifies boaters when the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp is full or open before they arrive. Text “Boatramp” to 67283 to sign up. Reply “Stop” at any time to opt out. 

Sign Up Today!

Signing up is quick and helps ensure you receive the updates most relevant to you. Anyone  can sign up for VBAlert. To sign up, go to the Smart911 website and create an account. Enter your contact information and a Virginia Beach address, then choose the alerts you want to receive. VBAlert uses the Smart911 platform. After signing up, residents can send “VBAlert” to 67283 to receive text alerts. Nonemergency text alerts are separate and can be joined by texting the specific keyword to 67283. 

Staying informed is a key part of staying safe, and VBAlert ensures you receive timely information when it matters most. 

If you have questions about an alert, please call the City of Virginia Beach's 311 center at 311 or outside of Virginia Beach at 757-385-3111. 

• VBAlert
• ECCS
• Emergency Management