Vinton residents whose CodeRED information was marked “keep private” need to create a Vinton Alerts profile to be included in the town’s new notification system, according to town guidance. [1] The town says the exception applies because those records were not shared during the transition. [1]
Vinton Alerts is the town’s Everbridge-based system for emergency information, weather, road and utility notices, public-safety information and other town updates. [1] WDBJ reported October 19 that the town had launched the system, citing a town release. [2]
What the transition does and does not mean
The town says people who previously participated in CodeRED generally had their information moved to the new system, but records marked “keep private” were not transferred. [1] That means the private-record exception is not the same as requiring every prior CodeRED user to start over. [1]
Town guidance also says a resident may still receive some alerts without creating a profile if the town has contact information on file through Resident Connect or the prior system. [1] Creating a profile is the route the town gives for selecting contact methods, alert types and multiple addresses. [1]
What residents can do
The town links its Vinton Alerts registration portal from its official alerts page and says help is available at 540-983-0601 through the Vinton Alerts menu option. [1] The service is free, according to the town, though standard message and data rates may apply. [1]
The town’s public information explains how the system is intended to work, but it does not provide migration counts, delivery-test results, contract costs or a record of missed alerts. Those questions remain outside the published guidance reviewed for this report. [1]
Sources
Source note: Based on the Town of Vinton’s Vinton Alerts page and a WDBJ report published October 19, 2026, checked October 20, 2026. Graphic: original Unmarked Desk editorial illustration.