Recent system upgrades may be affecting text and email messages sent to subscribers of the Henrico Alert System, the county’s free, text-based notification network that delivers bulletins regarding inclement weather and other emergency situations to wireless devices and email addresses.

County officials are encouraging users to sign into their accounts at http://www.henricoalert.org to confirm their wireless devices are registered correctly and activated. Users can reactivate devices that have been disabled in error by following instructions under the “Devices” tab.

In addition, the county is working with internet service providers to ensure that messages sent to subscribers’ email addresses are not blocked or treated as spam.

Enhancements made to county computer servers housing the Henrico Alert System may have caused subscribers’ wireless devices to be disabled inadvertently. The upgrades also may be causing internet service providers not to recognize the system and to block its messages.

Anna McRay, deputy coordinator of emergency management for Henrico, said the Henrico Alert System should be operating properly again soon. In the meantime, she advised users to check Henrico County websites – http://www.co.henrico.va.us or http://www.henricoalert.org – HCTV (Henrico County Television), Twitter accounts HenricoOEM and HenricoNews and NOAA Weather Radio for emergency information.

“We appreciate our subscribers’ patience as we make sure we have the most up-to-date technology to help keep them safe during an emergency,” she said.